Diabetes:

Canada at the
tipping point
Charting a New Path
Why We Are Here and What Can Be Done
Reasons for Concern
(Why We Are Here)
1. 
Cost of diabetes in Canada: Diabetes cost the
Canadian healthcare system and economy
$11.7 billion in 2010, and costs will rise to $16 billion
by 2020. This growing burden threatens both the
sustainability of our healthcare system and the
future economic prosperity of Canada.
2. Prevalence of diabetes: Diabetes rates in Canada
have almost doubled over the past decade and
will continue to rise. Unless action is taken now,
one in three people will be living with diabetes or
prediabetes by the end of this decade.
3. Populations at risk:Certain populations in
Canada carry a heavier diabetes burden, such as
Aboriginal peoples, new Canadians, low-income
Canadians; women across these populations bear
a disproportionate burden from the disease.
4. 
Complications of diabetes: Complications
account for over 80% of diabetes costs.
Complications could be prevented or at least
delayed if Canada had a more comprehensive
diabetes secondary prevention strategy.
5. 
Demographics: Canada has a growing and aging
population, and over 60% of Canadians are either
overweight or obese. These factors, combined
with an increase in sedentary lifestyles, will
continue to drive growing diabetes prevalence,
with many people being diagnosed with diabetes
at younger ages.
DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
2 3
DIABETES:
CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT
Charting a New Path
Reasons for Hope TABLE OF CONTENTS
(What Can Be Done)
1. Primary prevention: It is estimated that over
Acknowledgements 4
50% of type 2 diabetes could be prevented or
delayed with healthier eating and increased Executive Summary and Recommendations 5
physical activity.
2. Secondary prevention: Intensive multifactorial
interventions can significantly reduce diabetes-
related complications (e.g. heart attacks) and SECTION I Introduction 6
mortality by nearly 60%.
SECTION II The Burden of Diabetes 14
3. Cost saving: Even a modest reduction in diabetes
prevalence would have a significant financial
impact. A 2% reduction in prevalence rates would SECTION III How Governments Are Meeting the
have a 9% reduction in direct healthcare costs.
Challenge of Diabetes 24
4. Self-management: Unlike many other chronic
diseases, diabetes can be managed effectively,
SECTION IV Assessment and Recommendations 42
allowing people with diabetes to live long and
healthy lives.
5. Solutions: We know what needs to be done SECTION V The Faces of Diabetes in Canada 49
and how to do it. Broad-based societal change
with a strong role by governments is needed,
and it will not be easy. But we can change our
current course and chart a new path for a healthier Notes 56
Canada. Change will take time, so it is critical that
we begin today to chart a new course and take
action. With this analysis, we offer governments
recommendations for moving forward.
DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Executive Summary and Recommendations

DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT required the support of many individuals and Canada is at the “tipping point” in our response to diabetes. The total population with diabetes is estimated to be
organizations; we thank them for their important contributions: 2.7 million people (7.6%) in 2010, and is projected to rise to 4.2 million people (10.8%) by 2020. While the number
of Canadians diagnosed with diabetes is already high, an additional almost one million are estimated to have the
disease but do not know it. Currently, one in four Canadians lives with diabetes, undiagnosed diabetes, or prediabetes;
Members of the project’s Expert Advisory Committee for their valuable advice, comment and insight to inform the this will rise to one in three by 2020 if current trends continue.
development of the report:
Diabetes cost our healthcare system and economy $11.7 billion in 2010; it is projected to cost $16 billion annually
Ruth Colagiuri, Associate Professor and Director, Marguarite Keeley, Executive Director (retired), by 2020. Unless we take action, diabetes threatens not only more Canadians, but also the viability of our healthcare
University of Sydney Health and Sustainability Unit; Centretown Community Health Centre (Ottawa). system and our economic prosperity.
Vice President, International Diabetes Federation. Hans Krueger, Adjunct Professor,
Rita Fitzgerald, PDt CDE, Director of Quality, University of British Columbia (Vancouver).
Diabetes Educator Section of the Canadian Diabetes Diabetes also costs those living with the disease. Affordability and access to diabetes medications, devices and
Annette Robinson, Pharmacist, CDE (Chilliwack).
Association (Yarmouth). supplies vary depending on where you live in Canada and the public programs and services available. While some
Jay Silverberg, MD, Endocrinologist, jurisdictions have increased support, costs continue to be a major barrier for many with diabetes. We tell their
Dennis J. Furlong, MD, Former Minister of Health, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Toronto).
Government of New Brunswick; Past President of the stories directly.
New Brunswick Medical Society and College of Physicians Catherine Turner, Past Chair, Board of Directors,
and Surgeons of New Brunswick. National Aboriginal Diabetes Association (Winnipeg).
No region of Canada is immune to diabetes. While the greatest burden is in Atlantic Canada, provinces with the lowest
Céline Huot, MD, Endocrinologist, prevalence rates have the highest rates of prevalence growth. Aboriginal peoples, immigrants, some ethnocultural
Diabetes Clinic, Hôpital Ste-Justine (Montreal).
communities, low-income Canadians and women in these subpopulations bear a heavier burden of disease. Best
practices in diabetes programs and services exist across Canada, but information about them is lacking.
Federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health and their staff. Their assistance was vital in ensuring that this report
reflects accurate information on diabetes policies, programs, services, medications and supplies as of the fall of 2010.
While Canada performs comparably to peer countries with respect to diabetes-related amputations and the cost of
Members and volunteers of the Canadian Diabetes Association and Diabète Québec who shared their stories, care for diabetes, other countries perform better. For diabetes prevalence, hospitalizations, mortality and access to
which speak to the burden of diabetes on individuals and families. medications, Canada performs poorly.

Jeffery A. Johnson, PhD, and Samantha Bowker, PhD, Alliance for Canadian Health Outcomes Research in Canada has a choice to make to “tip” the course of diabetes. We can continue on our current trajectory and achieve
Diabetes at the University of Alberta, for their research on governments, diabetes programs and services, as well similar results, or chart a new path to provide hope to Canadians with diabetes and prediabetes. To move forward,
as on diabetes programs and outcomes in international jurisdictions. the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) and Diabète Québec (DQ) recommend that governments collaborate
Joe Whitney for updating the out-of-pocket costs from Diabetes Report 2005. with partners to:
Robin Somerville, Centre for Spatial Economics, for extrapolations of the Canadian Diabetes Cost Model (DCM)
to determine the economic costs at the provincial level. The Model was developed by Informetrica Limited (Ottawa)
and presented in the Canadian Diabetes Association December 2009 report, An Economic Tsunami: The Cost of Diabetes 1. Reduce the burden of diabetes, 2. Enhance access to quality care 3. Strategically invest in diabetes,
in Canada.1 Mr. Somerville presented national forecasts of prevalence and cost burden in An Economic Tsunami through including: and support for people living including:
with diabetes, including:
the DCM for this report.
All other consultants who contributed to the development of this report. • I mplement a comprehensive • S tandardize the quality of diabetes • E nhance financial assistance for
pan-Canadian healthy weights education across Canada. people living with diabetes.
CDA staff for their team effort to produce this report. strategy. • Renew the vision for the Canadian • Enhance the Canadian Diabetes
• Institute a comprehensive drug approval process. Strategy (CDS) and Aboriginal
Finally, we thank you for taking the time to read this report, and we welcome your feedback at advocacy@diabetes.ca. secondary prevention strategy. Diabetes Initiative (ADI).
• Create a Canadian diabetes health
• Implement a national knowledge charter. • Increase investment in high-
dissemination platform for quality, pan-Canadian research.
Note: The opinions expressed in this document are the views of the Canadian Diabetes Association and Diabète Québec and do not diabetes.
necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Expert Advisory Committee or the lead researchers for the report.

DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
4 5
 INTRODUCTION

Today in Canada
we stand at the
TIPPING POINT
IN OUR RESPONSE TO DIABETES.
Our efforts to address this disease are not meeting the burden it imposes.
An Economic Tsunami: The Cost of Diabetes in Canada estimated that
diabetes prevalence almost doubled from 2000 to 2010, and will continue
to rise from 2010 to 2020, affecting almost 10% of the population.2

SECTION I INTRODUCTION
Disturbingly, based on updated National Diabetes Surveillance System (NDSS) information, we have now
revised this estimate, projecting that diabetes will affect almost 11% of the population by 2020. Although
“There have been times I have not tested People with diabetes need access to medications, the number of Canadians diagnosed with diabetes is already high, an additional almost one million are
 at all because I had to save money for devices, supplies, diabetes education and care to
effectively self-manage their condition. Without estimated to have undiagnosed diabetes.3
family expenses like groceries, rent or these, complications will increase and further strain
car insurance.” our healthcare system.
Tammy Kilfoy, 33
London, Ontario

DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH

7
INTRODUCTION

Diabetes is a chronic and sometimes fatal disease characterized by elevated blood glucose, which, if not Diabetes Report 2005:
managed properly, damages blood vessels, organs and nerves.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs when diet and exercise and usually also diabetes medications
The Serious Face of Diabetes in
Canada concluded that:
the pancreas no longer produces any insulin or produces (antihyperglycemic agents) and/or insulin.
very little insulin. It usually develops in childhood or
adolescence and affects up to 10% of people with diabetes. Gestational diabetes (GDM) is first diagnosed or develops
There is no cure. It is treated with lifelong insulin injections during pregnancy. It affects 2 to 4% of all pregnancies and
and careful attention to diet and physical activity. is rising in prevalence. Blood glucose usually returns to
normal following delivery, but both mother and child are • The greatest challenge for Canadians living with diabetes was affordability and access to
Type 2 diabetes is a disease that occurs when the pancreas at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
does not produce enough insulin to meet the body’s needs
diabetes medications, devices and supplies.
and/or the body is unable to respond properly to the actions Prediabetes exists when blood glucose is elevated, but not
of insulin (insulin resistance). Type 2 diabetes usually as high as type 2 diabetes. About 50% of Canadians with
• It matters where you live in Canada if you have diabetes. Out-of-pocket costs for
occurs later in life (although it can occur in younger people) prediabetes develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetime. medications, devices and supplies to manage diabetes vary across the country.
and affects approximately 90% of people with diabetes.
There is no cure. It is treated with careful attention to • Newer therapeutic interventions approved as safe and effective by Health Canada and
available in other countries are not available in Canada.5
Many Canadians face a higher risk of diabetes, including people of Aboriginal, Hispanic, Asian, South or Southeast Asian or
African descent; people who are overweight or obese; people who have low incomes or live in poverty; people aged 40 and In the five years since that report, we have seen a dramatic Some progress has been made in meeting the needs of people
older; and those who have a family history of diabetes or a history of GDM. While more men than women have diabetes, rise in the prevalence and cost of diabetes in Canada; both living with diabetes, and we appreciate government efforts
diabetes rates are higher in women in high-risk and marginalized populations. are projected to escalate further over this decade. CDA and DQ to improve the quality of life of this population. However,
have developed Diabetes: Canada at the Tipping Point – Charting much more must be done. Canada is at the tipping point in
a New Path to determine what has changed in terms of the burden terms of addressing the increasing prevalence of diabetes and the
Many will also develop diabetes-related complications, including heart attack or stroke, kidney failure, blindness, non- diabetes imposes and policy responses to this disease. This burden it imposes on our healthcare system, our economy
traumatic limb amputation and depression. Complications can be life-threatening: life expectancy for people with type 1 report will attempt to answer the following questions: and on Canadians living with this disease and their families.
diabetes may be shortened by as much as 15 years and, for those with type 2 diabetes, by five to 10 years.4
• Have the challenges outlined in Diabetes Report 2005 This report assesses diabetes government policies and
been met in terms of availability and accessibility of identifies progress toward meeting recommendations in
CDA and DQ are committed to improving standards and best practices in care and programs for people with diabetes to needed medications, devices and supplies across Canada? Diabetes Report 2005, and offers new recommendations
ensure that they have the tools, education and services to meet their needs while we work to find a cure. Since 2001, our to address the burden of diabetes across Canada. Diabetes:
associations have reported on diabetes in Canada and government responses to this disease. • What are the major challenges in addressing diabetes Canada at the Tipping Point also contains several new
across jurisdictions and populations in Canada in 2010? elements, including the following:
• What policy measures can serve as examples of best • A nalysis of the availability of medications associated
practices? with complications of diabetes.
“I did not control my blood glucose levels and my • What policy measures need to change to enhance our • A n assessment of Canada’s performance in diabetes
ability to address diabetes prevalence and costs, especially
 health deteriorated. Today, I am dealing with a for complications and out-of-pocket expenses?
management internationally.

number of diabetes related complications including • How has the face of diabetes changed, in terms of who
• A review of diabetes as it affects Aboriginal peoples
and other high-risk populations.
neuropathy.” is most vulnerable?
 Kevin Kasunich, 33,
Capreol, Ontario People with diabetes need access to medications, devices, supplies, diabetes education and care to effectively self-manage their
condition. Without these, complications will increase and further strain our healthcare system. While all Canadians with diabetes
should have comparable access to supports regardless of where they live, disparities continue to exist across the country.

DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
8 9
INTRODUCTION

Table 1 outlines the burden of diabetes in terms of prevalence and cost, and government responses across Canada.

Table 1: Overall Estimated Performance and Cost Burden on Key Indicators by Province and Territory, 2000–2020, plus Government Response
Estimated Diabetes and Prediabetes Prevalence Estimated Cost Burden Government Response

P/T Prevalence (%) Prevalence Increase (%) Prediabetes Prevalence (%) Diabetes & Total Cost Increase (%)a HC as % of T2 Out-of-Pocket Coverage Policy
Prediabetes Total Cost Costs
2000 2010 2020 2000 2010 2000 2005 2010 2020 Prevalence (%)
2000 2010 2000 Medications b
Insulin Test Strips
- - - 2010 2010
- - - 2020 DR DC Pumps
2010 2020 2020 2010 2020 2020 ($CN)
CN 4.2 7.6 10.8 103 57 220 21.5 21.8 22.6 26.2 68 37 130 21 1,797.51c 10/2/11d 30/5/3d SAd T1/T2d DS
BC 4.0 7.4 10.3 114 62 247 20.7 20.9 21.6 25.4 72 41 143 22 2032.79 8/6/9 26/9/5e Yes ≤18 T1/T2f CDS
AB 3.3 5.8 8.6 116 67 262 20.8 20.8 22.2 23.6 94 43 177 20 2052.84 9/3/11 31/3/4 SA T1Ω/T2Ω∆ DS
SK 4.2 7.0 9.9 75 49 160 23.7 23.5 24.0 25.8 63 27 107 18 1854.45 7/10/6 31/3/4 Yes ≤17 T1/T2 DS
MB 4.5 7.6 10.1 78 47 162 22.4 22.4 22.9 25.2 46 28 88 17 2527.20 10/4/9 31/2/5 No T1f /T2 DS
ON 4.5 8.3 11.9 114 63 249 21.4 21.6 22.2 26.9 71 42 142 22 2173.50 9/2/12 29/3/6 Yes T1Ω/T2∆ DS
QC 4.1 7.2 9.9 91 48 182 21.3 21.9 22.9 25.9 63 28 108 23 1546.58 9/9/5 36/1/1 No T1/T2 CDF
NB 4.7 8.8 12.7 86 50 180 23.1 23.6 24.8 28.3 63 26 106 19 3426.99 6/8/9 30/3/5 No T1Ω/T2Ω∆ CDF
NS 5.1 8.9 12.2 79 44 158 23.2 23.8 24.8 29.4 68 26 112 20 2868.39 6/6/11 27/2/9 No T1/T2 DS
PEI 4.4 8.0 11.4 89 57 197 23.9 24.4 25.3 28.8 118 33 189 17 3036.31 9/3/11 31/4/3 No T1f /T2∆ CDS
NL 5.0 9.3 14.4 80 56 181 23.6 24.4 26.2 32.1 65 27 109 16 3396.04 6/8/9 29/4/5 Yes ≤25 T1/T2 None
NU NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 0 10/2/11d 31/3/4 Yes T1/T2 CDF
YK NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 250.00 8/2/13d 33/2/3 SA T1/T2 CDF
NT NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 0 10/2/11d 30/5/3 SA T1f /T2 CDF

Legend Notes:
CDF = chronic disease framework CDS = chronic disease strategy DC = diabetes-related complications DR = diabetes-related • Prevalence and cost burden data for the territories are not provided due to their small populations. (Smaller sampling sizes may result in
DS = diabetes strategy HC = healthcare cost NA = not available P/T = province/territory higher error rates.)
SA = special approval (insulin pumps) Ω = low-income ∆ = insulin-dependent • Readings in the estimated diabetes prevalence and estimated cost burden categories receive an assessment of green, yellow or red.
The Canadian average is in orange.
a
For costs in $ for each province/territory, see applicable fact sheets available at: www.diabetes.ca/dpr/. T op three performers are shown in green. The top performers are those jurisdictions with the lowest prevalence, cost burden and
b
Number of Health Canada–approved medications that appear on provincial/territorial formularies as “listed,” “restricted” and “not listed” (i.e. L/R/NL). type 2 out-of-pocket costs.
c
If NT, NU, and NIHB are removed (each with no costs), then average out-of-pocket costs are just under $2300.00 annually.
d
Non-Insured Health Benefits for First Nations (NIHB). Bottom three performers are shown in red. The bottom performers are those jurisdictions with the highest results in prevalence,
e
The total for medications concerning diabetes-related complications for BC is 40 instead of 38, since some angiotensin-converting enzyme cost burden and type 2 out-of-pocket costs.
inhibitors, as well as thiazide-like diuretics, are listed and restricted.
f
With the following conditions: diabetes education centre training certificate (BC); maximum 4000 per year (MB); in diabetes centre program with a Middle performers are shown in yellow.
maximum 100 per month (PEI); prescription required (NT).

DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
10 11
INTRODUCTION
The following methodology informs this report:
Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Costs are based on several
sources, including Brogan (2009); wholesale costs plus
pharmacy markup; the provinces; and the federal Non-Insured
Health Benefit (NIHB). Insulin prices are approximate and
do not include adjustments that may be negotiated between
plans and manufacturers. Information from private plans or
online prices from www.canadadrugs.com are used when no
public coverage is available. Dispensing fee sources include
information from the Canadian Pharmacists Association
(2009) and provincial health ministry websites. Publicly
funded lancets and pen needles are subject to dispensing
fees. Drug, supply and dispensing-fee costs are based on an
annualized formula and assume that maximum day supply
policies apply to all drugs and supplies purchased at a
pharmacy. Supplies purchased online, when public plan
coverage is not available, are not subject to dispensing fees
or maximum day supply policies.
It is important to note that these estimates apply to those
circumstances outlined for each composite case study (see
section II). These situations apply to many people with type
1 and type 2 diabetes, but not all. Costs may be higher or
lower depending on a person’s individual circumstances.
Generally, less access to public or private insurance means
greater out-of-pocket costs. This is particularly difficult for
low-income Canadians who are not on social assistance,
seniors or those who have drug costs that are high but do
not exceed the level that would qualify them for assistance.
These estimates have been validated by federal, provincial
and territorial representatives and all jurisdictions had the
opportunity to validate these costs. Major influences affecting
these cost calculations that have been updated from 2005
include: 1) the ability to validate assumptions and numbers
within government programs; and 2) enhanced government
program coverage (new or newly applied).
A detailed description of how out-of-pocket costs were
calculated for both composite cases outlined in this report for
each jurisdiction is available at: www.diabetes.ca/dpr/.
DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
12
Government Response: Dr. Jeffery A. Johnson and his
team obtained information on government programs and
services via questionnaire6,7 and interviews with government
officials. To assess Canada’s performance internationally,
Dr. Johnson analyzed information from the Organization
for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the
International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the Conference
Board of Canada.
“Without the health benefit plan, it would Estimates of Overweight/Obesity: Sixty-one percent
cost me at least $7,000 annually for
insulin, other medications and supplies.” a national estimate of 51.6%, almost 10% lower than that
Deborah Keating, 27,
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
The Diabetes Cost Model (DCM): The Model integrates
incidence estimates and administrative prevalence from
the Canadian NDSS and economic cost estimates from
The Economic Burden of Illness in Canada 8 to estimate
and forecast diabetes prevalence and cost. It supports
analysis of sensitivity in prevalence and cost in response
to demographic data, incidence and mortality rates by age
(from age 1+) and sex, and the average annual number of
net general practitioner and specialist visits by people with
diabetes. Additional information concerning details of the
DCM are available at: www.diabetes.ca/economicreport/.
Assumptions made in this Model are conservative and, in
the opinion of the preparers, may understate the prevalence
and cost of diabetes in the future, rather than to overstate
it. While the Model is prepared on reasonable assumptions,
there is no assurance that actual developments will be
consistent with the assumptions used.
Formularies: Health Canada–approved medications
for diabetes and diabetes-related complications across
formularies for provinces and territories, as well as the NIHB,
are shown as “listed” (available as a full benefit to those
who are eligible under the public drug plan); “restricted”
(available only to those who are eligible under the public drug
plan and meet specific eligibility criteria or conditions); and
“not listed” (not available on the public drug plan regardless
of being approved as safe and effective).
of Canadians are overweight or obese.9 The Canadian
Community Health Survey (CCHS) (self-reported data) yields
of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). Estimates
of overweight/obesity for this report were derived from
CCHS 2009 data10 (CHMS samples were too small to form
provincial estimates11) and augmented by 10%, since self-
reports of weight are usually underreported compared to
measured weights.12
“Make sure you test regularly, take your “I can’t afford to buy a replacement pump
medications and have an exercise plan
to keep your weight down.”
R. Bruce Bennett, 77,
Mackenzie, British Columbia
DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
13
Prediabetes Estimates (ages 20+): These incorporate
body mass index (BMI) data from the Public Health Agency
of Canada (PHAC) and the World Health Organization
prediabetes definition. They are adjusted to account for
differences between self-reported and measured BMI
values and assume that BMI proportions do not change
over time among the overall or the diabetes population.
The information contained in this report is based upon
the best information available just prior to publication.
As per our consultation process to develop this report, our
associations have made all reasonable efforts to assure the
accuracy of data.
[for my daughter] and I don’t have a
workplace health plan that will cover the
costs of supplies which would be more
than $400 a month.”
 Courtney Riddoch and Bree Riddoch
(Type 1 diabetes), 13
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

SECTION II
“If I can’t go back to work, how do I pay People of South and Southeast Asian, Aboriginal,
for my medications and supplies, in
particular if I need additional diabetes
medications?”
Theresa Strawberry, 53
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
THE BURDEN OF DIABETES*
African and Hispanic descent have higher rates
of prediabetes, obesity, childhood type 2 diabetes,
GDM and type 2 diabetes occurring at younger
ages. South Asians are the fastest-growing
immigrant population with the highest rates of
morbidity and mortality from diabetes-related
cardiovascular disease (CVD).
KEY OBSERVATIONS
• Diabetes prevalence has almost doubled since 2000, and will increase by another
1.5 million people by 2020. When combined with undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes,
about one in three people will be affected by 2020.
• No region is immune from diabetes. Some jurisdictions with lower rates of prevalence in
2010 have higher rates of predicted prevalence growth than those with higher rates of diabetes.
• Canada has a higher rate of diabetes prevalence than other peer countries.
• Certain risk factors increase the risk of diabetes, and some populations bear a much
higher burden of diabetes.
• The cost of diabetes is expected to more than double from 2000 to 2020. Some
jurisdictions with the lowest current prevalence face some of the highest increases in costs.
• Costs to treat diabetes and related complications are much higher for Aboriginal peoples.
• The national average out-of-pocket expenses for type 2 diabetes are essentially
unchanged and continue to compromise the ability of Canadians with diabetes to self-
manage their disease.
KEY QUESTIONS
• Why, despite spending comparable to other OECD countries, is Canada’s diabetes prevalence
rate higher than in other peer countries?
• What public policy measures need to be in place to address risk factors for diabetes and
complications from diabetes across Canada?
• What policy measures are needed to ensure equitable access to medications, devices and
supplies to support people with diabetes regardless of where they live?
*Novo Nordisk Canada is the exclusive sponsor through an unrestricted educational grant of all provincial Canadian Diabetes
Association Diabetes Cost Models. We thank Novo Nordisk Canada for its generous support of this project.
DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
15
 THE BURDEN OF DIABETES

A. The Prevalence of Diabetes

1. Canadian prevalence and factors driving increasing prevalence 2. Prevalence across provinces and territories: risk factors17
As outlined in Table 1, with the exception of QC, diabetes prevalence for 2000 to 2020 has diverged from a
narrow difference between provinces to a wider gap between Western and Eastern Canada.

In 2009, An Economic Tsunami forecast diabetes prevalence to
rise from 1.3 million (4.2%) in 2000 to 2.5 million (7.3%) in
2010 and to 3.7 million (9.9%) by 2020.13 New NDSS data
has required changes to this forecast, however. In 2010,
2.7 million (7.6%) people have diabetes and it is estimated
that this number will grow by 1.5 million over this decade
to 4.2 million (10.8%) by 2020 (Figure 1).14
Figure 1: Diabetes in Canada: 2000 to 2020
5,000
4,000
Thousands of Patients
Rising obesity rates, sedentary lifestyles, an aging population
and changes in the ethnic mix of new immigrants continue
to drive this increase. From 2010 to 2020, a growing and
aging population, rising incidence and falling mortality rates
will contribute to the 57% net increase in diabetes prevalence
(Figure 2). Three-quarters of this increase is locked in (based
on diabetes prevalence and our current demographic structure)
due to the net number of new people diagnosed with diabetes
each year.
Figure 2: Factors Driving the Increase in Prevalence from 2010 to 2020
12.0%
Constant Constant No No
Incidence Mortality Population Population
10.0% Rates 3% Rates 5% Aging 9% Increase 10%
• AB has the lowest prevalence rates for • While NS had the highest prevalence in • There is no pattern in prevalence growth
2000, 2010 and 2020. In contrast, NL Canada in 2000, its rate is below that for from 2000 to 2020. Diabetes will increase
has the highest estimated prevalence NL in 2010 and 2020. In fact, prevalence in BC, AB and ON by ≥200%; increases
rates for 2010 and 2020. growth for NS from 2000 to 2020 is lower will be below this threshold in SK, MB,
than for all other provinces. QC, NB, NS, PEI and NL.
Diabetes prevalence is influenced by many risk factors, including demographic structures (e.g. age, ethnic and cultural background
and immigration from high-risk communities); socioeconomic factors (e.g. income and low socio-economic status [SES]); and
underlying health conditions such as overweight, obesity and prediabetes.18
Age: The likelihood of developing diabetes increases with age, especially after age 40, rising from 6.3% of men and 4.6% of
women aged 45 to 54, to 22.1% of men and 14.8% of women aged 65 and older.19 Western Canada’s population is younger
than Eastern Canada’s (Table 2). This mirrors the general distribution of diabetes prevalence across provinces.
Table 2: Median Age Across Provinces (2009)

CN NL PEI NS NB QC ON MB SK AB BC Source: Statistics Canada. “Canada’s Population

Prevalence Rate

3,000 8.0% Estimates: Age and Sex.” Table 1. Population Estimates,

39.5 42.9 41.7 42.6 42.4 41.1 39.2 37.7 37.7 35.6 40.7 Age Distribution and Median Age as of July 1, 2009.
The Daily, November 27, 2009.

Current Demographic Structure 73%

2,000 6.0%
High-risk populations: Of immigrants to ON between 1985 and 2005, almost 12% were diagnosed with diabetes.20
Compared to the Canadian population, people of South and Southeast Asian, Aboriginal, African and Hispanic descent have
1,000 4.0% higher rates of prediabetes, obesity, childhood type 2 diabetes, GDM and type 2 diabetes occurring at younger ages.21 South
Asians are the fastest-growing immigrant population with the highest rates of morbidity and mortality from diabetes-related
cardiovascular disease (CVD).22
0 2.0% 1.5 million net new persons with diabetes
2000 2010 2020 projected over the period (57% rise) With the exception of Aboriginal peoples, populations with a higher risk of diabetes are concentrated in ON and BC (Table 3),
People with diabetes (left axis) reflecting evolving immigration patterns in Canada, since Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver were home to 68.9% of
Share of the population (right axis) immigrants in 2006.23

Source: Canadian DCM Source: Canadian DCM

“If I don’t have the money, I test less and use syringes instead of
Even more shocking is the fact that estimated prediabetes prevalence in Canada for 2010 is 21.8% of the population15 pen needles for injections. I feel that I am putting my health in
(excluding those already living with diabetes). Prediabetes and diabetes combined constitute almost 8 million people in
2010 (23%), or more than one in five people.16 By 2020, this number will grow to 26.2%, or more than one in four people.
jeopardy...but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”
Furthermore, this does not include the almost one million people estimated to be living with undiagnosed diabetes. When
they are added, more than one in four people were estimated to have diabetes or prediabetes in 2010; by 2020, this will rise Jennifer Palsson, 28
to one in three.

Castlegar, British Columbia

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THE BURDEN OF DIABETES

Table 3: High-Risk Populations (%) Across Provinces, 2006

3. Prevalence in Aboriginal30 populations
South Asian Chinese Aboriginal Black Latin American Southeast Asian
CN 4.04 3.89 3.75 2.50 0.97 0.77 Diabetes prevalence rates among Aboriginal populations are estimated to be at least three times higher than in the general
NL 0.31 0.26 4.64 0.18 0.10 0.02 population if not higher.31 If diabetes prevalence for 2010 is 7.6% for the general population, this would mean prevalence rates
PEI 0.10 0.19 1.29 0.48 0.16 0.02 of more than 20% across these populations.32 In fact, compared to the general population:
NS 0.42 0.48 2.67 2.12 0.11 0.09
NB 0.27 0.34 2.45 0.62 1.00 0.06 • Aboriginal peoples are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a four times the rate of non–Aboriginal women (20.33 vs. 5.51%).36
QC 0.98 1.07 1.46 2.52 1.20 0.68 much younger age.33 Aboriginal women also face more than double the risk for GDM.37
ON 6.60 4.80 2.01 3.94 1.22 0.91 Sources: Statistics Canada. Visible Minority
Population, by Province and Territory, 2006 Census. • Prediabetes is more common among Aboriginal communities.34 • High rates of diabetes among Aboriginal people are attributed
MB 1.46 1.20 15.47 1.38 0.55 0.50 Aboriginal Identity Population, by Province and
Territory, 2006 Census. • Obesity rates are higher in Aboriginal communities.35 to many factors, including: genetic predisposition; decreased
SK 0.54 1.00 14.88 0.53 0.26 0.27
Note: Total Aboriginal identity population includes physical activity; increased obesity; and dietary changes
AB 3.19 3.40 5.78 1.45 0.84 0.88 Aboriginal groups (North American Indian, Métis and • Aboriginal women are particularly vulnerable to diabetes. from traditional unprocessed “country” food to high-calorie
BC 6.44 10.00 4.81 0.70 0.71 1.00 Inuit), multiple Aboriginal responses and Aboriginal One study has shown that while diabetes is more than 2.5 times
responses not included elsewhere. processed foods,38,39 and SES factors such as food security,
more prevalent among Aboriginal men than non–Aboriginal safe water and overcrowding.40
men (16.01 vs. 6.24%), Aboriginal women have more than
There are also important sex differences among immigrants in terms of diabetes: the rate of diabetes in immigrant men in ON was
nearly 10% higher than their non-immigrant counterparts, but the rate among immigrant women in ON was about 24% higher.24

Income: Ample evidence links low socio-economic status (SES) and diabetes.25 Poor Canadians have little money to purchase
nutritious food or enjoy recreation. The effect of low SES on diabetes prevalence is compounded by education level26 and sex.27 4. Prevalence internationally: Figure 3: Age-Adjusted Prevalence (% of the population)
Median after-tax family income parallels the pattern for median age, with incomes being higher in Western Canada and far how does Canada compare?
lower in Eastern Canada (Table 4). The only exception is ON, which is higher than MB and SK, but lower than AB and BC. Iceland
Over 300 million people worldwide have diabetes, and Norway
another 300 million are at high risk.41 This will rise to U.K
500 million with diabetes and a further 500 million at high Japan
Table 4: Median After-Tax Income, Two-Person Family Across Provinces, 2008 ($CN) risk in under a generation. The greatest increases in diabetes Ireland
CN NL PEI NS NB QC ON MB SK AB BC Source: Statistics Canada. The Daily, June 17, 2010. will be in Africa, the Middle East and South-East Asia,42 where New Zealand
“Income of Canadians.” Table 2 Selected Income Sweden
63,900 53,200 55,300 53,000 53,100 55,900 67,000 61,200 64,800 77,200 68,500 Concepts for Economic Families of Two Persons or increasing numbers of immigrants to Canada come from.
More by Province, 2008. Belgium
Diabetes prevalence is much lower in wealthier vs. low- or Netherlands
middle-income countries, but among OECD countries,43 Denmark
Weight: Like SES, the link between excess weight and diabetes is clear. Obese persons have the highest individual diabetes
Canada has one of the highest rates at 9.2%44 (Figure 3). Australia
risk (27.4%), but those who are overweight have the greatest population risk (9.9%) of developing diabetes over the next 10
Finland
years.28 NL again differs, with a rate of overweight/obesity far higher than the Canadian average (Table 5). However, the pattern
Italy
visible for age is not present with weight, with slight differences for SK, MB, PEI and NS. Only QC and BC have rates lower Greece
than the national average. Czech Republic
Hungary
Spain
Table 5: Overweight and Obese as a % of the Population (2009) France
Poland
CN NL PEI NS NB QC ON MB SK AB BC
Source: Statistics Canada. Canadian Community “With discipline, type 2 diabetes can be Korea
61.6 74.6 69.0 70.3 72.9 59.2 66.4 68.0 68.6 65.1 55.1 Health Survey, 2009, adjusted to account for
overweight/obese based on self-reports. controlled. You need to get control by Turkey
Austria
investing in yourself and making your Germany
Prediabetes. Prediabetes imposes a higher risk of both diabetes and CVD.29 Like diabetes, prediabetes is greater in Eastern physical health a priority.” Switzerland
than in Western Canada: by 2020, combined prevalence will approach or surpass 30% in these provinces, and surpass 20% Canada 9.2

in all others (Table 1).  

Sheila J., 45 Portugal
U.S.A
Langley, British Columbia Mexico
In summary, all jurisdictions have risk factors for diabetes. While Eastern Canada bears a greater risk due to higher median
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
ages, lower median incomes and, to a lesser extent, obesity, jurisdictions with lower prevalence such as Western Canada and
ON have greater concentrations of high-risk populations. So risk factors must be addressed across Canada. Source: IDF, 2009

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THE BURDEN OF DIABETES

B. The Cost Burden of Diabetes

1. Direct and indirect costs: Canada
Like prevalence, the cost of diabetes is approaching the
tipping point. Factors responsible for increased prevalence
also account for the projected $4.3 billion increase over
the next decade. Direct costs of diabetes, which account
for 21% of the total cost, are led by hospitalization but also
include general practitioners, specialists and medications.
Indirect costs include loss of economic output from illness
or premature mortality. Mortality and disability account for
79% of the total cost of diabetes (Figure 4).
Net Mortality 60%
Figure 4: Economic Cost of Diabetes in Canada by Source in 2010
Diabetes is also a significant burden for our economy, estimated
at $11.7 billion in 2010.45 This is an increase of $4.7 billion or
nearly 70% since 2000 (Figure 5).46
Declining mortality rates for people with diabetes increase
prevalence rates over this period and decrease costs associated
with premature mortality, thus resulting in higher estimated
prevalence but a lower overall cost burden than projected in
2009.47 Nevertheless, the cost of diabetes is expected to rise
by over 130% from 2000 to 2020.
Figure 5: Cost of Diabetes in Canada: 2000 to 2020
3. Costs to treat diabetes-related complications in Aboriginal populations
Given the higher prevalence of diabetes among Aboriginal populations, complications of diabetes are also more common than
in the general population48: almost 89% of those with diabetes report adverse consequences related to their condition.49
For example, among Aboriginal peoples in MB, from 1996 to 2016, it is estimated that CVD, dialysis starts and lower limb
amputations will all increase ten-fold, and strokes and blindness will increase five-fold.50 Excess costs due to diabetes prevalence
in Aboriginal populations added 15.9% to total costs in this province.51 In SK, higher health services utilization was associated
with 40 to 60% higher healthcare costs for registered Indian diabetes cases.52
4. The personal costs of diabetes: composite case studies and out-of-pocket costs
Successful diabetes self-management requires access to clinically effective, appropriate and safe medications for diabetes and diabetes-
related complications, as well as diabetes supplies and devices. The CDA’s 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and
Management of Diabetes in Canada (CPGs) emphasize an aggressive approach to delaying or preventing complications, recommending
glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels of <7% to reduce the onset of complications such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney disease
and amputation.53

18,000
However, out-of-pocket costs often compromise the ability of Canadians with diabetes to manage their disease: 57% indicate that
they do not comply with their prescribed therapy due to the cost of medications, devices and supplies. Only half of Canadians
Projected total cost in 2010: 16,000 $12,100 with type 2 diabetes have their blood glucose levels under control, and the majority of patients incur adverse health conditions
$11.7 billion (2005 dollars) 14,000 linked to diabetes.54 There are major provincial differences in out-of-pocket expenses, and while these costs for type 1 diabetes have
Millions of 2009 Dollars

declined, the average for type 2 diabetes is essentially unchanged from Diabetes Report 2005. People with diabetes can purchase the
12,000
Net Mortality 60% $9,212 medications if they have the money to pay for them or if they have financial support from a private (e.g., employer) or public health
10,000 benefit plan.
Long-Term
Disability 19% 8,000
We update two composite case studies to show the challenges that Canadians with diabetes face. Annual out-of-pocket costs are
6,000 calculated based on the methodology outlined on page 12, along with a summary of available support and analysis of changes from
$5,721
Direct Hospitalization 10% 4,000 2005. The CDA’s CPGs continue to form the basis of their diabetes management. Coverage of medications, devices and supplies are
Net CVD Hospitalization 1%
$3,821
shown on pages 38-41. To enable comparison, coverage charts for case studies from 2005 are available at:www.diabetes.ca/dpr/.
2,000
Net Doctor Visits: General $2,441
Drugs/Medications Practitioner 2% $1,197
0
for Diabetes 5% 2000 2010 2020
Net Doctor Visits: Specialist 3%
Direct costs Indirect costs
Source: Canadian DCM Source: Canadian DCM

“I don’t want to be in a position of cutting back on

medications or testing in order to live within our
2. Direct and indirect costs: provinces and territories budget in retirement.”
As per Table 1, the cost of diabetes in Canada is expected to more than double from 2000 to 2020. Given rising prevalence  Doug Macnamara, 52
rates, this is not surprising. Variation exists across provinces for increases in the cost of diabetes. AB, with the lowest current Banff, Alberta
prevalence, is nonetheless projected to have almost the highest increase in cost from 2000 to 2020; PEI, with higher current
prevalence, will incur the highest increase. MB will incur the lowest increase.

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THE BURDEN OF DIABETES

Table 6: Type 1 Diabetes Out-of-Pocket Expenses by Province/

Territory, as of December 2009
Janet, 22, type 1 diabetes composite case study: Province/
Territory
Janet takes insulin four times daily and tests her blood
glucose five times daily. She does not require additional PEI
medications to manage or avoid complications. Janet lives ON
alone with an annual income of less than $15,000. She has
QC
no private health insurance plan and relies on government
NS
assistance. Table 6 outlines Janet’s costs to buy medications
SK
and supplies to manage her diabetes.
BC
MB
National Average
YK
Since 2006, AB has dropped from the province with NB
the second-highest cost to the lowest cost, due to Janet’s AB
eligibility for the Alberta Adult Health Benefit.55 PEI still NU
has the highest costs, but there was an approximately NIHB (federal)
$1,000 decrease due to new partial coverage for test NT
strips. As a result of these changes, the national average
NL
is $385.65; out-of-pocket costs for type 1 are considerably
lower than they were in 2005.
Since 2006, Aspirin has been removed from Peter’s diabetes regimen, which lowered his costs by approximately $25. This moved
NU and NIHB into a tie with NT for lowest costs ($0). AB was approximately $400 higher, primarily due to an increase in the
Alberta Blue Cross non-group insurance premium. Overall, the national average for type 2 medications is essentially unchanged.
Annual Out-of-Pocket % of Annual Individual
Costs ($CN) Income More generally, a number of advances in coverage for medications, supplies and devices have been initiated since 2005 across
several jurisdictions, including:
1,564.58 10.8
942.61 6.5
838.55 5.8
• Improvements by ON for access • Improvements by NS in help • Improvements by NL, providing
to pumps and pump supplies for for people with type 2 diabetes, coverage for insulin pumps up to
559.76 3.9
type 1 diabetes, and access to including enhanced access to blood age 25, test strips, insulin, oral
499.20 3.4
blood glucose test strips for people glucose test strips, ketone strips, medications and other supplies,
475.20 3.3
who use insulin to manage their lancets and oral medications. such as syringes and lancets.
390.05 2.7 diabetes (type 1, type 2 and GDM).
385.65 2.7
100 0.7
29.20 0.2
0 0.0
0 0.0
5. Costs internationally: how does Canada compare?
0 0.0 Canada’s spending on diabetes is just under $4,000 per capita — approximately the middle range of OECD peer countries (Figure 6).56
0 0.0
0 0.0
Figure 6: Per Capita Cost of Diabetes

(In thousands of CN dollars)

Table 7: Type 2 Diabetes Out-of-Pocket Expenses by Province/ 8

Territory*, as of December 2009
7
Peter, 52, type 2 diabetes composite case study: Province/ Annual Out- % of Annual % of Annual
Territory of-Pocket Individual Family
Peter is self-employed. Neither he nor his wife Mary has Costs ($CN) Income Income 6
private health insurance. Mary works full-time, earning NB 3,426.99 11.4 6.2
$25,000 annually. Peter earns $30,000 annually. Peter’s only 5
NL 3,396.04 11.3 6.2
support for his medications and supplies is a government 3,036.31 10.1 5.5
PEI 4
program (if available). He takes two antihyperglycemic
NS 2,868.39 9.6 5.2
medications to achieve required blood glucose levels, and
MB 2,527.20 8.4 4.6 3
two antihypertensive medications to regulate his blood pressure,
ON 2,173.50 7.2 4.0
including one to protect his kidneys from complications; he uses a
statin to lower his lipids. He tests his blood glucose levels twice AB 2,052.84 6.8 3.7 2
a day. Peter will also need multiple therapies and additional BC 2,032.79 6.8 3.7
medications to prevent heart disease, stroke and kidney SK 1,854.45 6.2 3.4 1
disease. Table 7 shows Peter’s costs to buy medications and National Average 1,797.51* 6.0 3.3
supplies to manage his diabetes. 0
QC 1546.58 5.2 2.8

Turkey
Poland
Mexico
Hungary
Czech Republic
Korea
Portugal
Spain
Greece
Italy
New Zealand
Japan
Finland
U.K
Germany
Belgium
Australia
Canada
Austria
Sweden
Netherlands
France
Denmark
Ireland
Switzerland
Norway
Iceland
U.S.A
YK 250.00 0.8 0.5
NIHB (federal) 0 0.0 0.0
NU 0 0.0 0.0
NT 0 0.0 0.0
*If NT, NU and NIHB are removed, (each with no costs), the average out-of-pocket costs across Source: IDF, 2009
jurisdictions is $2,287.74 annually.

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22 23
 KEY OBSERVATIONS
• While Canada performs comparably to peer countries with respect to some diabetes
indicators, we perform poorly with respect to prevalence, hospitalizations,
mortality and access to medications.
• Federal policy response through the Canadian Diabetes Strategy has both strengths
and limitations. However, funding for the CDS has not kept pace with increasing
prevalence.
• There are many best practices in diabetes services and programs across Canada.
However, gaps remain in our knowledge of them.

KEY QUESTIONS
• How can sharing of best practices in diabetes across jurisdictions be enhanced to
strengthen evidence-based diabetes care and education?
• How can standards of diabetes care and education across jurisdictions be assured while
respecting provincial/territorial responsibility for healthcare delivery?
• How must drug approval policy change to ensure equality of access to medications for
all Canadians with diabetes?
HOW GOVERNMENTS ARE MEETING
SECTION III THE CHALLENGE OF DIABETES

“The financial costs of diabetes have Warren is determined to stick to his diabetes
 always been a worry. Before the plan’s management regimen, testing, taking his
medications, exercising and keeping a proper
annual deductable kicks in, usually in diet to prevent possible complications. Knowing
April, I struggle with the costs.” many people with diabetes experience heart
 . Warren Williams, 67
C problems, he wants to stay “heart strong.”

Williams Lake, British Columbia

DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH

25
HOW GOVERNMENTS ARE MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF DIABETES Table 8: How Canada Compares Internationally on Diabetes

A. Diabetes Burden and Quality of Care: Canada Indicator Prevalencea Cost of Carea Hospitalizationsa Amputationsa Diabetes Mortalityb

Bottom Tier Mexico US US US Austria

(Highest on indicator) US Iceland UK Spain US
To understand Canada’s policy response to diabetes, we must consider how Canada compares to peer countries in terms of Norway Finland Portugal CANADA
Portugal
quality of care and burden of diabetes. CANADA Switzerland Poland Belgium Italy
Switzerland Ireland CANADA Denmark
Germany Denmark
Austria France
Avoidable hospitalizations57: Lower-extremity amputations58: Diabetes-related mortality59: Turkey Netherlands
Canada’s rate of 23.3 per 100,000 is Canada was below the average of Canada has the third-highest mortality Korea Sweden Belgium Switzerland Denmark
above the OECD average of 21 per about 15 amputations per 100,000 rate among peer countries, with 18 Middle Tier Poland Austria Austria France Germany
100,000 (Figure 7). population across OECD countries deaths per 100,000 population (Figure 9). France CANADA Norway Sweden Netherlands
(Figure 8). Spain Australia Denmark New Zealand Australia
Hungary Belgium Sweden Netherlands Sweden
Czech Republic Germany Spain CANADA Ireland
Greece UK Korea Finland France
Italy Finland Norway Switzerland
Figure 7: Figure 8: Figure 9:
Finland Japan
Avoidable Hospitalizations for Acute Diabetes Lower Extremity Amputation Rates Mortality Due to Diabetes
Australia New Zealand
Complications per 100,000 Population per 100,000 Population (% of the population) Denmark Italy
Netherlands Greece
Belgium Spain Germany Poland Norway
Austria Top Tier Sweden Portugal Switzerland Italy UK
New Zealand Korea (lowest on indicator) New Zealand Korea Italy UK Finland
Ireland Czech Republic Netherlands Korea Japan
Netherlands U.K. Japan
Japan Hungary New Zealand Austria
Italy Italy Finland
UK Mexico
Switzerland Poland U.K. Norway Poland
Germany Norway Norway Iceland Turkey
Korea Finland Switzerland
Spain Canada France
a
OECD, 2009
b
IDF, 2009
Sweden Netherlands Ireland
Denmark New Zealand Sweden
Norway Sweden Australia Policy framework - the Canadian Diabetes Strategy (CDS):
Austria France Netherlands
Belgium Switzerland Germany The CDS, created in 1999 and renewed in 2005, focuses on the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes, high-risk
Canada Denmark Denmark populations and complications. In 2005, the CDS, which is managed by the PHAC, was allocated $90 million over five years
Poland Belgium Italy ($18 million per year). Despite the doubling of diabetes prevalence and cost, funding for the CDS has not increased accordingly.
Finland Portugal Canada
U.K. Spain U.S.A An expert review of the CDS led by the former Premier of NL, Brian Peckford was undertaken in 2008. The final Diabetes
U.S.A U.S.A Austria Policy Review, Report of the Expert Panel noted successes as well as limitations of the CDS and made recommendations.62
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
One area where Canada is a leader internationally is diabetes surveillance. The CDS supports the successful NDSS, which is
Source: OECD, 2009 Source: OECD, 2009 Source: IDF, 2009 a model for the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System (CCDSS). However, gaps remain in our knowledge about diabetes
in Canada, and in the application of available data. The Expert Panel noted areas of needed improvement in surveillance,
including differentiation between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and use of other data sources (e.g. laboratory) to better
understand healthcare and self-care activities.

While Canada is in the middle of peer countries concerning amputations and cost of care, we have higher diabetes prevalence and
mortality. This is noteworthy given Canada’s low rates of mortality due to CVD, which is the leading cause of death in people with
diabetes.60 Although Canada performs comparably in terms of amputations, and, to a lesser extent, avoidable hospitalizations,
other countries have lower rates. As noted by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, “there is room for improvement
in care provision for adults with diabetes in all jurisdictions.”61 Table 8 compares countries where information is available; not
all countries had data for all indicators. Distribution by tier was assigned using the top and bottom 25% of countries with data
available for each indicator.
The Expert Panel noted key international comparisons in national diabetes strategies. In particular, it pointed out that
partnerships are prevalent in other countries that have achieved success in addressing diabetes. The Expert Panel envisaged
partnerships between the public and private sectors and non-governmental organizations to advance research and deliver
programs. However, at present, Canada is weak in this regard.
The Expert Panel also criticized the CDS regarding its lack of clear and measurable goals, which have been established in
other jurisdictions. It advocated for clear goals, measurable targets, research, effective prevention and partnerships to achieve
progress and positive results in five years.

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HOW GOVERNMENTS ARE MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF DIABETES
B. Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (Adi) Findings
Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) manages the ADI to reduce diabetes incidence and prevalence • AB, SK, MB, ON and NS have established diabetes strategies.
and improve the health of First Nations and Inuit people. The ADI delivers community-based and culturally appropriate health
promotion, primary prevention, screening and treatment services to more than 600 communities. Services are delivered in partnership • BC, QC and PEI have broader chronic disease strategies
with tribal councils, First Nations organizations, Inuit community groups and provincial and territorial governments. The ADI also and frameworks that include diabetes. SK also funds a
undertakes screening and treatment; capacity building and training; research; surveillance; and evaluation of services. separate program concerned with living challenges for
those with chronic conditions.
ADI funding was renewed until 2012 in the 2010 federal budget. Areas of enhanced focus include initiatives for children, youth,
parents and families; diabetes in prepregnancy and pregnancy; food security and traditional and healthy food initiatives; and • NL does not have diabetes policies or strategies. NB has
enhanced training for home and community care nurses on CPGs and chronic disease management. We applaud this federal recently developed a strategy as part of broader chronic
commitment and urge permanent funding for the ADI. disease prevention and management frameworks, and NL
is in the process of doing this.
One of the key barriers to dealing with diabetes in Aboriginal populations is the political environment (federal, provincial,
regional, municipal and indigenous) in which these populations live. The FNIHB also notes the remoteness of communities, • While QC, NU, YK and the NT do not have formally
lack of qualified healthcare personnel, and some determinants of health (housing, water, infrastructure and access to developed diabetes strategies, coordinated care is
nutritious foods) as barriers to addressing diabetes. integrated within their chronic disease and care
frameworks.
C. Provincial/Territorial Best Practices
Since Diabetes Report 2005, many jurisdictions have initiated new policies and programs. Innovative programs are identified to Best practices across jurisdictions
highlight best practices and advocate for policy and program change.63 Governments were asked to confirm:
• BC’s Primary Health Care Charter identifies diabetes
management as a priority medical condition and
• If they had a diabetes policy or • What standards and guidelines their • Diabetes surveillance activities. establishes outcome measures (2007).
strategy, and, if so, its components. policies reference.
• Barriers they face to addressing
• AB and SK identify a 10-year time frame for their diabetes
• Their coverage for diabetes medications, • Prevention programs and activities. diabetes.
strategies, with ongoing funding to ensure sustainability.
devices, supplies and services.
BC, MB, ON and NS have ongoing funding to ensure
sustainability, but no specific time reference.
Below is a snapshot of diabetes policies, programs and best practices across jurisdictions, summarized from west to east under • AB has evaluated its diabetes policy and programs and the
each survey section. Recommendations within Diabetes Report 2005 are referenced to assess change in policies and programs province’s Monitoring for Health program, which provides
across jurisdictions. Fact sheets for each jurisdiction are available at: www.diabetes.ca/dpr/. funding to cover a portion of the cost of eligible diabetes
management supplies (2008–2009).
• AB, SK, MB, ON, NS, NB, PEI, YK and NU have government
staff positions dedicated to the coordination and delivery of
DIABETES REPORT 2005 RECOMMENDATIONS diabetes policy and programs. Other provinces have staff
responsible for broader chronic disease management and
• A
 ccelerate and enhance implementation of the Canadian Diabetes
Diabetes Policy Strategy and the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative.
strategies.
or Strategy • MB released Diabetes in Manitoba: A Call to Action to strengthen
• Increase awareness of existing government programs and services existing diabetes partnerships and build new ones to reduce
for Canadians living with diabetes. the burden of type 2 diabetes. The province has established
a retinal screening program for northern communities (2007)
and screens for prediabetes in Winnipeg. It has enhanced
funding for several self-management tools, including Get
Better Together! Manitoba, a free peer-led program for people
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• P rovinces with diabetes or chronic disease strategies
(BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, NS, PEI) identify objectives for diabetes
prevention, care, education, research and surveillance.
• All provinces with diabetes or chronic disease strategies have
stated goals or objectives for managing complications or
comorbidities.
• While BC, AB, SK, MB, ON and NS identify Aboriginal
people as important at-risk populations, only ON, AB and MB
have a specific Aboriginal component to their strategies.
• All jurisdictions, except the territories, report investments
in research to develop tools, services and programs to help
people with diabetes effectively self-manage.
 with ongoing health conditions to take control of their own
health (2007), and CareLink, a telephone- and telehealth-
based chronic disease self-management program to expand
services to northern, rural and remote regions (2008). MB
is also revising a complications screening toolkit to include
oral health, sexual dysfunction and mental health for people
with diabetes and other chronic diseases.
• ON released its Aboriginal Diabetes Strategy, a long-term
approach to prevention, care and treatment, education,
research and coordination (2006). The province has also
implemented its Chronic Kidney Disease Strategy, which
includes primary and secondary prevention and increased
access to dialysis (both community-based dialysis and
peritoneal dialysis).
• ON and QC have strategies to enhance access to bariatric
surgery (2008), (2009).
• The Diabetes Care Program of Nova Scotia (DCPNS) has
been in existence since 1991 and was renewed for 2008
to 2012. The DCPNS implements NS’s strategy and serves
as a network for provincial diabetes centres. Priorities are
reviewed and approved by an Advisory Council, thus
ensuring stakeholder input.
29
HOW GOVERNMENTS ARE MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF DIABETES
DIABETES REPORT 2005 RECOMMENDATIONS
Coverage of diabetes • E nsure that the cost for diabetes medications and supplies (including
medications, supplies secondary complications) are not a barrier or a burden to individuals
and services managing their diabetes.
Findings
• MB, NU and NT have the most “listed” diabetes-related
medications on their formularies (10 of 23). NB, NS
and NL have the fewest diabetes medications (6 of 23)
appearing as “listed” on their formularies.
• Coverage for test strips is limited in AB, ON, NB and PEI,
depending on individual circumstances (see Tables 1, 11
and 12).
• BC, SK, ON and NL provide insulin pump coverage. ON’s
program is the most comprehensive, offering coverage for
both children and adults with type 1 diabetes, as well as
pump supplies to a maximum of $2,400. Pump and supplies
programs in BC, SK and NL limit support to children and
youth with type 1 diabetes under the ages of 18, 17 and
25, respectively. NL has also announced coverage of up
to $2,500 for insulin pumps for public sector employees.
AB and MB pay for infusion sets. NU pays for pumps and
supplies, while YK and the NT provide access through
special authorization.
Best practices across jurisdictions
• MB, NU and NT provide the most extensive coverage for
diabetes medications (10 medications out of 23 are listed).
The territories have raised the eligible income levels for
benefits under their Monitoring for Health Program (2006).
• BC (2008), SK (2007) and NL (2010) have public coverage
for insulin pumps and supplies for children and youth.
ON first provided coverage to children (2006) and has
expanded access to adults (2008).
DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
30

AB does not normally pay for pumps, but may do so under
special authorization. QC is conducting a pilot project
concerning pumps for children; a decision on coverage is
expected in 2011.
• QC has simplified the reimbursement process for several
restricted diabetes-related medications.
• NL has increased income thresholds for its prescription
drug program, making it more accessible to residents,
as well as adding new medications for diabetes and
neuropathy.
• For treatment for comorbidities and diabetes-related
complications that would otherwise fall under publicly
insured medical services, QC, NB, NS, NT and MB
provide coverage for dilated eye exams and mental health
counselling or depression screening. YK, AB, SK, NU and
NL do not. PEI covers mental health counselling, but not
eye exams, while the reverse is true for BC and ON.
• BC requires that people with type 2 diabetes visit a diabetes
educator before gaining access to test strips under its
pharmacare program.
• The SK Children’s and Seniors’ Drug Plans (2007 and
2008, respectively) are available to children (age 14 and
under) and eligible seniors. Children and seniors pay
only $15 for drugs listed on the provincial formulary
and those approved under its Exception Drug Status
(EDS). (In 2008, eligibility criteria based on income were
introduced into the Seniors’ Drug Plan; approximately
95% of seniors are eligible for the $15 prescription cap.)
SK also introduced an online Exception Drug Status
(EDS) adjudication for Actos and Avandia. This enables • ON has increased the Monitoring for Health reimbursement
an automatic search for alternatives on a patient’s online level for strips and lancets by 42% since 2005.
profile, and/or expired EDS approval of Actos or Avandia,
and approving those cases where the EDS criteria are met. • The NS Family Pharmacare Program (NSFPP) (2008)
replaced the Diabetes Assistance Program (2005). The
This allows for EDS approval without a request from the
NSFPP assists people without drug coverage or with high
prescriber or pharmacist (2006).
drug costs by providing access to diabetes medications and
• MB’s Pharmacare Program provides drug coverage for supplies on the NS formulary. There is a yearly deductible
all eligible participants, with an annual deductible based and a 20% co-payment with an annual maximum.
on family income. The deductible instalment payment
program enables eligible participants to pay their deductible
in interest-free installments (2007). Additional income
brackets have been introduced to reduce deductible
increases as families incomes move between brackets (2009).
DIABETES REPORT 2005 RECOMMENDATIONS
Standards and
• Implement CDA clinical practice guidelines [CPGs] for the prevention and
guidelines management of diabetes in Canada.

Findings
• All jurisdictions indicate recognition of the CDA 2008 diabetes education can be especially difficult for Aboriginal
CPGs in various ways and to varying degrees. people in isolated communities across the country.65
(Some jurisdictions noted that diabetes education centres
• None of the governments formally require the DES64/CDA are the responsibility of external agencies.)
Standards for Diabetes Education in Canada to be used. Only
SK, MB, ON and PEI encourage diabetes education centres • All jurisdictions have some accountability mechanisms
to use the standards. to promote the CPGs. BC, YK, NS, NB, ON and MB
have specific mechanisms to evaluate their use. Other
• BC has requested further information concerning CPGs jurisdictions refer to the respective professional colleges
for self-monitoring of blood glucose. The CDA has responsible for quality of care assessment.
established a public policy process to look at this issue.
• NS has engaged in guideline development for foot
• AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, NS, PEI, NL, NU, NT and YK assessment tools and resources in long-term care; a
report diabetes education programs targeted at Aboriginal physical activity and exercise toolkit aimed at improving
populations. NL has recently hired diabetes education activity levels in people with diabetes; and insulin dose
staff in its Aboriginal communities. Improving access for adjustment guidelines.
these populations is important given that access to
DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
31
HOW GOVERNMENTS ARE MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF DIABETES
Best practices across jurisdictions
• Several jurisdictions have enhanced their provision of
primary care. For example, BC, AB, NB and NS have
family practice incentive programs and billing codes for
physicians providing care for chronic illnesses, including
diabetes. MB’s Physician Integrated Network seeks to
improve primary care for chronic disease management,
including diabetes, through multidisciplinary teams and
the use of electronic medical records.
• BC’s Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee has
produced a diabetes care guideline (2010).
• AB has a Mobile Diabetes Screening Initiative (MDSI)
geared at Aboriginal communities (2003). The University
of Alberta’s MDSI team of health professionals visits remote,
off-reserve Aboriginal and northern communities to
screen for diabetes and its complications, deliver health
promotion and diabetes education and encourage links
with local healthcare providers where possible.
• The Health Quality Council of Saskatchewan developed
and implemented a diabetes toolkit and diagnostic/clinical
flow sheet as part of its Chronic Disease Management
Collaborative on diabetes, a major quality improvement
initiative to enhance the care and health of people living
with coronary artery disease and diabetes, and to
improve access to physician practices (2005). SK has also
developed Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and
Management of Diabetes Foot Complications (2008).
• In MB, the CPGs are used by the regional health
authorities to develop flow sheets to manage diabetes.
The province has developed and distributed the
Manitoba Diabetes Care Recommendations (2010), which
are consistent with the CDA’s CPGs. MB has also
implemented a number of other projects to improve the
“We need to do more to help teachers to recognize and respond to
students with diabetes when they experience blood glucose control • MB’s Chronic Disease Prevention Initiative promotes healthy
problems when they are in school.”

DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
32
h
 ealth status of Aboriginal populations by preventing or
delaying complications and addressing foot ulcers.
• ON has begun reporting two annual targets: 1) the percentage
of people with diabetes attached to a primary care physician;
and 2) the percentage of people with diabetes receiving A1C
tests, lipid tests and dilated retinal exams, in accordance
with the CDA’s guidelines. In addition, ON’s Diabetes
Program Policies and Procedures state that “Diabetes
programs’ education/work plans must reflect an integration
of current principles and practices for diabetes” as outlined
in the Association’s CPGs and the DES/CDA’s Standards for
Diabetes Education in Canada. Provincially funded diabetes
programs must submit quarterly and annual reports to the
ministry (2009).
• In NS, the CPGs are embedded in standard forms, including
referral, assessment, follow-up and flow sheets, applicable
guideline documents and the chronic disease flow sheet.
The DCPNS Registry allows tracking of newly diagnosed
referrals, including those with prediabetes and key self
and clinical indicators of care. NS can track waiting lists
and changes from diagnosis of diabetes onward, including
lower-extremity amputation data, hypertension rates,
retinopathy screening rates etc., longitudinally.
• PEI’s diabetes program has developed a clinic flow sheet
that reflects the CPGs and encourages its use within
physician offices and primary health centres. The CPGs
are referenced in the province’s diabetes program policy
and procedure manual.
• NL’s pharmaceutical division has used the CPGs.
Randy Wepruk, 50
Thunder Bay, Ontario
DIABETES REPORT 2005 RECOMMENDATIONS
Primary prevention • Implement CDA clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and
programs management of diabetes in Canada.
• A
 ccelerate and enhance implementation of the Canadian Diabetes
Strategy and the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative.
• Increase awareness of existing government programs and services for
Canadians living with diabetes.
• E nsure that the cost for diabetes medications and supplies (including
secondary complications), are not a barrier or a burden to individuals
managing their diabetes.
Findings
• All jurisdictions have healthy lifestyle programs within • Aboriginal populations, women, the socially disadvantaged
chronic disease mandates. and children and youth are commonly identified as target
populations for diabetes prevention programs.
• Many jurisdictions have school-based programs for
healthy eating and physical activity.
Best practices across jurisdictions
• QC’s Investir dans l’avenir (Invest in the Future) program is
• ActNow, BC’s healthy living initiative, focuses on healthy
designed to provide healthier food in schools and more
eating, physical activity, healthy body weight and living
physical activity aimed at children.
tobacco-free that together contribute to preventable chronic
diseases, including diabetes (2005).
• NB’s wellness strategy (2009 to 2013) includes healthy
eating and physical activity.
• AB has invested $18 million to promote healthy weights
in children and youth to reduce obesity and decrease
• NS has produced Prediabetes Screening and Management
chronic disease through additional health promotion
Guidelines (2008).
coordinators and measures to promote health in schools,
including healthy eating (2006). The province’s Healthy U • MB, NB and PEI, in partnership with the PHAC, are
health information and education campaign seeks to conducting a Prediabetes Screening Project to develop
increase physical activity and healthy eating among province-wide screening tools.
Albertans and reduce chronic disease risk, including
diabetes and heart disease (2002, ongoing). • NL’s wellness plan and Go Healthy initiative focus on
physical activity, healthy body weight and tobacco
control. Physical education is mandatory to graduate
eating, physical activity and smoking cessation through from high school in the province.
local partnerships, citizen engagement and community
development (2004). Reduce Your Risk, a province-wide • All jurisdictions except YK have primary prevention
public education campaign, helps Manitobans identify and programs for high-risk populations.
reduce their risk for type 2 diabetes (2008).
DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
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HOW GOVERNMENTS ARE MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF DIABETES
DIABETES REPORT 2005 RECOMMENDATIONS
Diabetes
surveillance • A
 ccelerate and enhance implementation of the Canadian Diabetes
Strategy and the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative.
Findings
• All jurisdictions continue to participate in the NDSS and
most create specific reports based on NDSS data, or unique
case definition using additional administrative data.
• Diabetes surveillance in Aboriginal populations remains
quite limited in Canada. The latest NDSS reports included
information on Aboriginal populations in BC and QC.
Best practices across jurisdictions
• AB has established a five-year Alberta Diabetes
Surveillance System, in partnership with Alliance for
Canadian Health Outcomes Research in Diabetes at the
University of Alberta. It supports regular and ongoing
surveillance and reporting through the Alberta Diabetes Atlas
in 2007, 2009 and 2011; an interactive website; and an
inquiry service for regional or local data (2005 to 2010).
The Alberta Diabetes Atlas 2009 included a report on
diabetes epidemiology and healthcare utilization for Status
Aboriginals.
• MB has released Diabetes in Manitoba 1989 to 2006:
Report of Diabetes Surveillance, and an accompanying
public summary (2009).
DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
34
• ON’s Baseline Diabetes Dataset Initiative (BDDI) provides
primary care physicians with information about patients’
testing practices for A1C, lipids tests and retinal eye exams.
• NL has conducted a study of diabetes in an Aboriginal
community in that province.
• ON’s BDDI facilitates identification of patients for testing on
the three tests/exams noted above, helping the government
meet the target of 80% of patients with diabetes completing
these tests within the recommended guidelines.
• QC reports tracking of diabetes among Aboriginal
populations.
• NS produces an annual report for district health
authorities on diabetes epidemiology and health services
utilization using the NDSS. The DCPNS Registry allows
for a review of process and outcome measures in diabetes
centres that use the Registry onsite.
D. Diabetes Policy and Future Policy Response: Barriers and Challenges
Provinces and territories noted the following barriers to addressing diabetes:
• Overwhelming demographic trends of aging and increasing rates of overweight and obesity drive
growth of diabetes prevalence, which is confirmed by the DCM.
• The rising costs to our healthcare system of treating diabetes and its complications.
• Limited access to complete, integrated information about diabetes; service delivery to rural and
remote communities; diabetes as one of several competing health priorities; and health human
resources to support programs.
The need to enhance knowledge dissemination: The need for diabetes strategies to address risk
While Canada is a leader in diabetes surveillance, factors and complications: Strategies must address
gaps remain concerning knowledge of best practices both risk factors given increasing diabetes prevalence across
across the country. The Diabetes Policy Review noted the Canada and complications given their implications concerning
“lack of access to information about existing diabetes healthcare costs and decline in quality of life. For example,
initiatives ... This has resulted in the duplication of work when we compare growth in diabetes in Atlantic Canada,
and lost opportunities for collaboration and learning from with many risk factors, provinces with established policies
the experiences of the existing initiatives.”66 The Review (NS and PEI) have fared better than those that have recently
recommended a “national system/platform for knowledge developed or have yet to develop frameworks or policies (NB
dissemination and exchange.”67 and NL). While prevalence in NS was the highest in Canada
in 2000, by 2020, prevalence in NL and NB will surpass
The need to enhance primary care for people with that in NS. While PEI’s growth in prevalence from 2000 to
diabeteS: We applaud enhancements to primary care, 2020 will be more than 250%, it will still have the lowest
especially those that support services for people with prevalence rate among these provinces.
chronic diseases such as diabetes. However, too many
people with diabetes across jurisdictions still do not have
access to a family doctor. Without this, they must wait in
an emergency room for routine diabetes care services. All
people with diabetes need access to a family doctor to
ensure optimal diabetes management.
“Education is critical to treating diabetes
and to supporting people with diabetes
The need to ensure standardized diabetes
education across Canada: Several jurisdictions have
and their families.”
established innovative diabetes education programs.  ike Felske, 33
M
However, most jurisdictions do not require their diabetes Eganville, Ontario
education centres to comply with DES/CDA’s Standards
for Diabetes Education. All Canadians need access to
high-quality diabetes education to ensure optimal self-
management in order to delay or avoid diabetes-related
complications. Certification programs must be available
to all healthcare professionals.
DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
35
HOW GOVERNMENTS ARE MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF DIABETES

The need for culturally appropriate diabetes formally developed diabetes strategies for these populations. Diabetes medications: Since Diabetes Report 2005, eight medications have been approved by Health Canada. Of these,
programs: ON, BC and AB have fewer risk factors given All jurisdictions need to expand their efforts to address Onglyza, Victoza and Avandaryl remain unavailable on all formularies, while five have been listed fully or with restrictions on
lower median ages, higher median family incomes and diabetes in these populations, including rural and remote select formularies. Januvia is fully listed in ON and restricted in QC, while Apidra is fully listed in BC, AB, MB, ON, QC and
comparatively lower rates of obesity. Nonetheless, they face communities, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples and, restricted in SK, NB, NS and NL. Janumet is only listed as restricted in QC. Hypurin insulin is fully listed in SK and restricted
rates of diabetes prevalence growth of 2.5 times or more where appropriate, the federal government. in BC. Levemir is fully listed in ON and restricted in SK and QC. Access to many diabetes medications remains inconsistent
from 2000 to 2020. These provinces also have the highest across jurisdictions (Table 9). In 2009, Canada reimbursed fewer drugs than the OECD average and we rate near the bottom in
percentage of population by immigrant status of 28.3, 27.5 The need to consider broader supports to combat
reimbursement for the latest treatments for diabetes.71
and 16.2%, respectively, exceeding the Canadian average diabetes: When considering measures to combat diabetes
of 19.8%. Given the higher risk of diabetes and diabetes we must examine the broader social policy environment. In
complications faced by specific immigrant populations, terms of risk factors for diabetes, BC and QC are the only
culturally appropriate diabetes education and screening jurisdictions with overweight/obesity rates lower than the Medications concerning diabetes-related complications
programs need to be a priority component of diabetes national average. In fact, QC has the lowest rate of obesity
strategies, especially in these provinces. for ages six to 11 in Canada; NL’s rate is 37.6%, while QC’s is Many Canadians with diabetes will develop serious, Coverage of these medications was not featured in Diabetes
18.4%.68,69 One factor in curbing childhood obesity in QC may potentially fatal diabetes-related complications: Report 2005. They are included here given the importance of
The need for culturally appropriate services also applies be its Consumer Protection Act (1980), which bans all commercial preventing and managing these complications (Table 10).
to Aboriginal populations across Canada given their advertising directed at children, including unhealthy foods.
catastrophic rates of diabetes. This is especially true for the Given the link between excess weight and diabetes, we urge • 80% of Canadians with diabetes die from a heart attack • Overall, complications that have the most coverage are
prairies, where Aboriginal populations exceed the national governments to move forward with their Framework for Action or a stroke. dyslipidemia (high cholesterol), treatment of diabetes
average. While most diabetes policies include measures to Promote Healthy Weights (September 2010).70 in people with heart failure, chronic kidney disease in
targeted to Aboriginal peoples, only AB, MB and ON have • Over 40% of new kidney dialysis patients have diabetes. diabetes and psychological aspects of diabetes. All of the
formularies list most, if not all, of the drugs for these
• Diabetic retinopathy is the single leading cause of complications without restrictions.
blindness in Canada.
• Complications with the least coverage are management
• 25% of people with diabetes suffer from depression of obesity in diabetes, neuropathy, smoking cessation
due to the burden of coping with the disease, as well and management of acute coronary syndromes. Almost
as discrimination and stigma that often accompanies all of the formularies lack coverage in these categories,
E. Drug Formulary Listings and Coverage Charts diabetes. or have restrictions on these drugs.
Health Canada determines the safety of all medications and approves them for use. Then, each jurisdiction determines if • 70% of non-traumatic limb amputations are caused by • Some complications, such as vascular protection or
the medication is included in its formulary of medications and medical supplies covered by its drug plan. A product may be diabetes complications.72,73 hypertension, are well covered in most formularies,
available to everyone who is eligible (“listed”); only available under special circumstances (“restricted”); or not available (“not but some lack coverage or have restrictions on these
listed”). The practice of new diabetes medications approved by Health Canada being classified as “restricted” or “not listed”
medications.
in formularies means that these effective treatments are not available to some Canadians, potentially compromising their
self-management. Only those with private drug plans or their own resources can acquire these therapies, meaning two-tiered
access to these supports.
Diabetes devices and supplies: Several jurisdictions have enhanced access to test strips and insulin pumps. We encourage
all jurisdictions to enable access to test strips, coupled with enhanced diabetes education to ensure optimized use of these
supplies to support self-management, and access to insulin pumps when clinically appropriate.
“When I was struggling to afford my diabetes supplies and was unhealthy Access to medications, devices and supplies should not depend on where you live in Canada. Our drug-approval policies
with blood sugars way out of control, my grandmother invited me to move must change to ensure that all people with diabetes across jurisdictions can access the medications they need to manage
their condition.
to Whitehorse where I could access a program that would provide the
support I needed to help me to manage my diabetes.”

 elissa McKinney, 24
M
Whitehorse, Yukon

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HOW GOVERNMENTS ARE MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF DIABETES

Table 9: Formulary Listings for Diabetes Medications in Canada, 2010 Table 10: Formulary Listings for Medications to Treat Diabetes-Related Complications in Canada, 2010

CLASS DRUG (Brand Name) BC AB SK MB ON QC NB NS PEI NL NIHBa NT YK NU Complication Brand Name Generic Name BC AB SK MB ON QC NB NS PEI NL NIHB NT YK NU
Vascular Altace Ramipril L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitor Acarbose (Glucobay) L L L L R L R L L R L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Protection Coversyl Perindopril
DPP-4 inhibitor Micardis Telmisartan R L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Sitagliptin (Januvia) NL
NL NL NL NL L R NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
Plavix Clopidogrel
Incretin Agents Saxagliptin (Onglyza) NL
NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Lipitor Atorvastatin
GLP-1 agonist Lescol Fluvastatin L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Liraglutide (Victoza) NL
NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL Dyslipidemia Mevacor Lovastatin L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Rapid-acting analogues L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Pravachol Pravastatin
Aspart (NovoRapid) L L R L R L Ri R L R L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Crestor Rosuvastatin
Glulisine (Apidra) L L R L L L Rb R NL R NL NL NL NL Zocor Simvastatin L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Lispro (Humalog) L Lc Rc L L L Ri R L R L L L L Altace Ramipril L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Insulin Insulins, regular Coversyl Perindopril L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Capoten Captopril L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Pork
Hypurin Regular, Hypurin NPH Mavik Trandolapril L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
R NL L NL NLh NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL Hypertension
Cozaar Losartan R L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Long-acting basal
analogues Avapro Irbesartan R L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Detemir (Levemir) NL NL R NL L R NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL Tenormin Atenolol L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Glargine (Lantus) Isoptin Verapamil L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
R NL R R L R NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL
Lozide Indapamide R L L L L L L NL La L L L L L
Sulfonylureas Gliclazide
(Diamicron, Diamicron MR, Acute Coronary ACE inhibitor [not specified] L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
generic) R L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Syndromes - Carvedilol R L R L NL L R NL R R NL NL L R
Glimepiride (Amaryl) NL NL NL R NL R L NL L L NL NL NL NL Lopresor Metoprolol L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Insulin Glyburide - Bisoprolol L L L L L L L NL L L L L L L
Secretagogues (Diabeta, Euglucon, generic) L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Diabetes in An ACE inhibitor or an ARB [not specified] L/R L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Tolbutamided L NL L L NL L L L L L L L NL L People with Glucophage/Glumetza Metformin L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Meglitinides Heart Failure Monocor Bisoprolol L NL L L L L L NL L L L L L L
Nateglinide (Starlix) NL NL R NL NL NL NL NL NL NL L L NL L L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Lopresor Metoprolol
Repaglinide (GlucoNorm) NL L R R NL R R NL NL R L h
L L L Chronic Kidney L/R L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Thiazide-like diuretics [not specified]
Metformin Disease in Diabetes Lasix Furosemide L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Biguanide (Glucophage, Glumetza) Le L Le L L L L L L L L L L L
Neuropathy Neurontin Gabapentin L L L L R L L L L R L L L L
Pioglitazone (Actos)f R R R R NLh R R R R R R R R R Lyrica Pregabalin NL NL R NL NL L NL NL NL NL NL NL NL R
TZDs
Rosiglitazone (Avandia)g R R R L NLh R R R R R R R R R Sustained-release oxycodone [not specified] R L L R R L R R R R R R L L
Metformin + rosiglitazone Obesity in Diabetes Xenical Orlistat NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL
(Avandamet)g R R R NL NL R R R R R NL NL NL NL
Psychological Zoloft Sertraline L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Combined Formulations Glimepiride + rosiglitazone
(Avandaryl)g NL
NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL Aspects of Diabetes Prozac Fluoxetine L L L L L L L L L L L L L L
Sitagliptin + metformin Smoking Cessation Nicorette/Thrive/
(Janumet) NL NL NL NL NL R NL NL NL NL NL NL NL NL
NL NL Rb NL NL NL L NL NL Lc NL R R NL NL
NL
Habitrol/Nicoderm Nicotine
Champix Varenicline NL
NL NL NL NL NL L NL NL NL NL R R R NL
TZD = thiazolidinedione a Most residents of the three territories receive coverage for their diabetes medication under Zyban Bupropion NL
NL Rb NL NL NL L NL NL R NL R R L NL
DPP-4 = dipeptidyl peptidase-4 the NIHB, available to registered Indians, specified Innu or Inuk peoples, or infants under
GLP-1 = glucagon-like peptide-1 1 year of age whose parent is an eligible recipient.
b Is a regular benefit for beneficiaries under 18 years.
L =  Listed; listed on the provincial formulary as a full benefit; available to c Does not cover Humalog Pen 300 µ syringe, Humalog Mix 25 Pen or Humalog Mix 50. ACE = angiotensin enzyme-converting a Listed under seniors, nursing home, family health benefit and social assistance.
recipients who meet eligibility requirements under the public drug plan. d T hese diabetes drugs are known as “first generation” drugs and are rarely prescribed. ARB = angiotensin receptor blocker b Smoking cessation products in AB are covered only under the AB Employment and Immigration Drug
R =  Restricted; listed on the provincial formulary, but available only to those Benefit Supplement coverage to a lifetime of $500.
who meet eligibility criteria or conditions. They are still listed on some formularies, but many provinces/territories have delisted them
because there are better alternatives available. L =  L isted; listed on the provincial formulary as a full benefit; available to recipients who meet c Listed under smoking cessation program.
NL =  Not Listed; not listed on the provincial formulary, and therefore not available through e Glumetza not covered. eligibility requirements under the public drug plan.
the public drug plan. f Health Canada has noted that Actos is contraindicated in patients with any stage of heart R= R  estricted; listed on the provincial formulary, but available only to those who meet eligibility
failure, and should also not be taken with metformin and a sulfonylurea. criteria or conditions.
g Health Canada has placed restrictions on the prescribing of these medications due to NL = N  ot Listed; not listed on the provincial formulary, and therefore not available through the public
cardiovascular-related events. drug plan.
h  Considered on a case-by-case basis under Ontario’s Exceptional Drug Access Program
i Special authorization not required when prescribed by an Endocrinologist or Internist.

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HOW GOVERNMENTS ARE MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF DIABETES

Table 11: Coverage Chart for Diabetes Supplies and Devices, Type 1 Diabetes Table 12: Coverage Chart for Diabetes Supplies and Devices, Type 2 Diabetes

If Janet (see page 22) lives in: If Peter (see page 22) lives in:
COSTS Blood Ketone Lancets Meters Syringes & Pump & Pump Supplies Insulin COSTS Blood Glucose Ketone Strips Lancets Meters Oral Medications
Glucose Strips Pen Needles Strips (Urine Test)
Y= Yes N= No Strips (Urine Test)
Y= Yes N= No
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Pump: NO (pump program BRITISH COLUMBIA
No deductible. 70% government co-pay of Rx drug Y N N N Y limited to age ≤18 provided Y
and medical supply costs until Janet reaches a max Deductible: 3% of NFI. 70% government co-pay of Rx drug YES – with a training certificate N N N Y
program eligibility criteria met) and medical supply costs until Peter reaches a max of 4% of from an approved DEC
of 2% of NFI, then 100% government coverage.
Supplies: Infusion sets NFI, then 100% government coverage.

ALBERTA Pump and supplies: May be ALBERTA

AMFH: Eligible for up to $550/ year. AAHB Alberta Blue Cross family quarterly premium $354. 70%
administered by Employment and Immigration Y Y Y Y Y provided through Special Y government co-pay to a max of $25,000/year. Peter pays 30%,
N N N N Y
Authorization by the HBRC
provides 100% coverage for medications and up to $25 per Rx..
supplies.
SASKATCHEWAN
SASKATCHEWAN Pump and supplies: NO (pump Peter may apply under the income-based SSP, with deductibles
Janet may apply under the income-based SSP, with Y Y Y N Y program limited to age ≤17, Y based on 3.4% of AFI. Co-pay rate is based on income and Y Y Y N Y
deductibles based on 3.4% of AFI. Co-pay rate is provided program eligibility benefit drug costs.
based on income and benefit drug costs. criteria met)
MANITOBA YES, to max Pump: NO MANITOBA YES to a max 4000
Deductible: 2.71% of Janet’s AFI (AFI <$15,000/year). 4000 strips/year Y Y N Y Supplies: Some Y Deductible: 4.89% of Peter’s AFI (AFI >$47,500/year and
strips per year Y Y N Y
≤$75,000/year).
ONTARIO
TDP: For low income and high drug cost, deductible Pump: YES provided program ONTARIO
N Y Y N YES (through TDP YES (through TDP on
based on income, $2 fee per Rx. OMFH: For those Y eligibility criteria met Y TDP: for high drug costs in relation to income; deductible based on N N N approved oral agents)
Supplies: YES on select strips)
using insulin, or with GDM, 75% government co-pay (OMFH) (OMFH) income, $2 per Rx.
to a maximum $820/year for strips and lancets. ($2,400/year)
QUEBEC
QUEBEC Annual premium: varies from $0 to $600, depending on income.
Annual premium: Varies from $0 to $600 depending Deductible: $16/month Co-insurance: 32% of drug costs to Y Y N N Y
on income. Deductible: $16/month. Co-insurance: Y Y N N Y Pump and supplies: NO Y monthly maximum of $80.25.
32% of drug costs to monthly maximum of $80.25
depending on income. NEW BRUNSWICK
Coverage for people with diabetes who depend on insulin. N N N N N
NEW BRUNSWICK Coverage is available but is dependent on a means test. Peter
Janet would be eligible for a health card through would not qualify based on his family income.
Social Development, which can be applied for if Y Y Y Y Y Pump and supplies: NO Y
a person experiences financial hardship due to
health-related expenses. Applicants must complete NOVA SCOTIA
a financial means assessment. NSFP: deductible based on family size and income, 20% Y Y Y N Y
co-payments per Rx up to annual income-based maximum.
NOVA SCOTIA
Employment support and income assistance — Y Y Y N Y Pump and supplies: NO Y PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND NO, because coverage for type
maximum $5 per Rx with no annual maximum. Register with DCP. Fee varies per Rx. 2 only for those on insulin and YES if registered

registered with DCP, to a max Y N N
with DCP
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND 100 strips per month, $11 per Rx
YES, if registered
Register with DCP. Fee varies per Rx. with DCP, max
100 strips/mo Y N N N Pump and supplies: NO Y NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
$11 per Rx Assurance Plan for residents who have high drug costs. Peter Y Y Y N Y
pays a maximum 7.5% of family income on drugs with drug card.
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR Pump and supplies: YES
Full coverage for drugs and supplies under (pump program limited to NUNAVUT
Foundation Plan — eligibility assessed through Y Y Y Y Y age ≤25, provided program
Y Y Y Y Y Y
EHBP: No deductible and no co-pay.
Human Resources, Labour and Employment. eligibility criteria met)

NUNAVUT Y Y Y Y Y Y NORTHWEST TERRITORIES YES, with Rx YES (Avandia and Actos

EHBP: No deductible or co-pay.
Pump and supplies: YES
100% coverage for all diabetes drugs and supplies. Y Y Y
require preapproval)

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Y Y Pump and supplies: May be Y

100% coverage for all diabetes drugs and supplies.
YES, with Rx Y Y supplied with special approval YUKON
$250 deductible per person; maximum $500 per family, then Y Y Y Y Y
Pump and supplies: May 100% coverage.
YUKON Y Y Y be supplied with specialist Y
$250 deductible under CDP, then 100% coverage.
Y Y
recommendation and meeting
specific criteria NIHB*
No deductible, no co-pay. Y Y Y Y Y
NIHB* Pump and supplies: May be
No deductible, no co-pay. Y Y Y Y Y Y
supplied with exceptional status
AFI = adjusted family income NIHB = Non-Insured Health Benefit *If Peter were eligible for the NIHB (as a resident of Canada
DCP = Diabetes Control Program NSFP = Nova Scotia Family Pharmacare and a registered Indian, an Innu member of a specified
AAHB = Alberta Adult Health Benefit EHBP = Extended Health Benefits Program SSP = Special Support Program EHBP = Extended Health Benefits Program SSP = Special Support Program community or a recognized Inuk).
AFI = adjusted family income HBRC = Health Benefits Review Committee TDP = Trillium Drug Program NFI = net family income TDP = Trillium Drug Program
AMFH = Alberta Monitoring for Health NFI = net family income *If Janet were eligible for the NIHB (as a resident of Canada
CDP = Chronic Disease Program NIHB = Non-Insured Health Benefit and a registered Indian, an Innu member of a specified
DCP = Diabetes Control Program OMFH = Ontario Monitoring for Health community or a recognized Inuk).

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40 41
 More than one in four
CANADIANS
LIVES WITH DIABETES OR PREDIABETES.
THIS WILL RISE TO MORE THAN ONE IN
THREE BY 2020.
Canada is at the “tipping point” in our response to diabetes. More than one in
four Canadians lives with diabetes or prediabetes; this will rise to more than
one in three by 2020 if current trends continue. Diabetes currently costs our
healthcare system and our economy $11.7 billion and will cost Canadians
about $16 billion annually by 2020. If we continue down our current path,
ASSESSMENT AND diabetes will not only threaten millions more Canadians, but also the future
sustainability of our healthcare system and our economic prosperity.
SECTION IV RECOMMENDATIONS

“I have learned the importance of an Decisions made today will determine the course While the greatest burden of diabetes, in terms of both prevalence and cost, is found in the Atlantic region,
active life, not letting diabetes defeat of diabetes in Canada in the coming decades.
We can “tip” current trends in a positive direction some provinces with the lowest prevalence, such as AB, have the highest rates of growth in prevalence.
you and overcoming its obstacles.” to begin to slow or reduce the prevalence of No region of Canada is immune to the increasing prevalence and burden of diabetes. More disturbingly,
Anthony M., 24 diabetes and its economic and social burden.

Tyne Valley, Prince Edward Island many populations are particularly vulnerable and bear a disproportionate burden from the disease.

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42 43
ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

We now return to the questions we asked at the beginning of this report:
Have the challenges outlined in Diabetes Report 2005
been met in terms of availability and accessibility of
needed medications, devices and supplies across Canada?
Access to approved diabetes medications, devices and supplies
still depends on where you live in Canada. While average out-
of-pocket costs for type 1 diabetes have declined, they remain
essentially unchanged for type 2 diabetes.
What are the major challenges in addressing diabetes
across jurisdictions and populations in Canada in 2010?
All jurisdictions across Canada face a tsunami of rising
diabetes prevalence and cost. Multiple risk factors across
jurisdictions add to the complexity of needed response.
What policy measures across Canada can serve as
examples of best practices?
Gaps in our knowledge of diabetes best practices across
jurisdictions hamper our ability to learn from each other
to address diabetes. We need a mechanism to share best
practices across jurisdictions to leverage existing initiatives.
Here we assess Canada’s performance on diabetes and
What policy measures need to change to enhance our
ability to address diabetes prevalence and costs, especially OFFER OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION,
for complications and out-of-pocket expenses? SEVERAL OF WHICH BUILD ON THOSE NOTED IN THE DIABETES POLICY REVIEW.
We must review best practices internationally to identify
more effective and efficient drug review and approval
processes to formulate a renewed common drug review to
better serve the health needs of all Canadians, regardless
of where they live.
A. Assessing our Performance
How has the face of diabetes changed, in terms of
whom is most vulnerable? Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments are not performing as well as they must
While the risk faced by certain populations within Canada has to address the burden of diabetes for those living with the disease, and as a priority public health
always been greater, diabetes prevalence and complications challenge. For example:
rates among new immigrants and especially Aboriginal
peoples are truly alarming; action must be taken now
to promote primary and secondary prevention in these
populations. Gender considerations must be incorporated How we compare to peer countries: While Canada performs comparably to peer countries with respect to indicators
concerning quality of care for diabetes, other OECD countries perform better, suggesting room for improvement. On diabetes
into efforts addressing diabetes within high-risk and
marginalized populations given the increased vulnerability prevalence, hospitalizations and mortality, Canada performs poorly compared to peer countries.
of women within these groups to the disease. The changing face of diabetes: Diabetes affects Canadians from all walks of life. Certain populations have a higher
prevalence and face greater challenges in managing their condition. Several demographic trends will affect our ability to deal
with diabetes. They represent the changing face of diabetes in Canada and new challenges to overcome:

Canada has an important choice to make when it comes to diabetes. We can either continue as we have done and achieve
similar results, or we can chart a new path that provides hope to Canadians with diabetes and prediabetes, ensuring they
have the tools and supports to successfully self-manage and prevent or delay serious complications.
Decisions made today will determine the course of diabetes in Canada in the coming decades. We can “tip” current trends in
a positive direction to begin to slow or reduce the prevalence of diabetes and its economic and social burden. Or, if we take
no action, and “tip” further toward even greater diabetes prevalence and cost, we can be assured that this disease will pose
an even greater burden to future generations of Canadians.
SOLUTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO LESSEN THE BURDEN OF DIABETES. For example:
• It is estimated that over 50% of type 2 diabetes could be prevented or delayed with healthier eating and increased
physical activity.
• Intensive multifactorial interventions can significantly reduce diabetes-related complications and mortality by nearly 60%.
• A modest reduction in diabetes prevalence would have a significant financial impact. A 2% reduction in prevalence incurred by people who are overweight given widespread negative stereotypes about these populations and the resulting impact
would have a 9% reduction in direct healthcare costs.74
• Diabetes among Aboriginal peoples is an epidemic — • 80% of new immigrants are from countries with an
prevalence is three times or higher than that of the general increased risk of diabetes.
population. The burden of diabetes is particularly severe • The Canadian population is growing, as well as aging.
for Aboriginal women. Both of these factors will continue to drive prevalence
• Low-income Canadians, particularly women, also bear and the cost of diabetes to the healthcare system.
a greater burden of diabetes.
Affordability and access to medications, devices and supplies: In Diabetes Report 2005, the greatest challenge for
Canadians with diabetes was affordability and access to diabetes medications, devices and supplies. Affordability and access
depends on where you live in Canada and available public programs and services. While the average for out-of-pocket costs
for type 1 diabetes has declined, it remains essentially unchanged for type 2 diabetes. While some jurisdictions have increased
support for medications, devices and supplies, costs continue to be a major barrier for many with diabetes.
Healthy weights: Almost two-thirds of Canadian adults and over one-quarter of Canadian children and youth are overweight
or obese. If these rates remain constant, diabetes rates will continue to climb for the foreseeable future given that an estimated
80-90% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese.75 Efforts to promote healthy weights must also address the stigma
on weight management, health services utilization, and psychological well-being.76 This is especially important for people with
diabetes, given that it has been estimated that diabetes doubles the risk for depression, which in turn may compromise
self-management and thus increase the risk of diabetes-related complications.77

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44 45
ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Diabetes education: Diabetes education is critical to effective self-management. However, standards of diabetes education are
not uniform in most jurisdictions, let alone across the country. In addition, there is a lack of access for healthcare professionals
This will mean a significant shift in government approach,
to attain certification programs in diabetes education.
private sector involvement and, most of all,
While progress has been made since 2005, it is insufficient to meet the coming tsunami of diabetes. Prevalence is increasing
at an alarming, unsustainable rate, particularly among high-risk populations, who continue to drive prevalence and cost. To
effectively self-manage diabetes and diabetes-related complications, people with diabetes need access to medications, as well as
A WIDESPREAD PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CHANGE.
diabetes devices and supplies. While some improvements have been made, access remains inequitable, and out-of-pocket costs
unchanged. Out-of-pocket costs are a major factor in lack of compliance with prescribed therapies and increasing diabetes-
related complications. Given this, it is not surprising that internationally, Canada is not keeping up with peer countries when
it comes to access to needed medications. To address the growing burden of diabetes, we must also address complications,
Institute a comprehensive secondary prevention strategy: A diabetes secondary prevention strategy would exclusively target
given their cost and diminishment of quality of life. While governments have a central role to play, this challenge requires
people who have been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, and provide them with the tools, support and services to
collaboration by all sectors of society and widespread societal change.
effectively self-manage their disease and prevent or delay diabetes-related complications. The strategy should also provide a
comprehensive diabetes risk assessment model for screening, and culturally specific educational and nutrition tools to support
lifestyle modification counselling.

B. CHARTING A NEW PATH Implement a national knowledge dissemination platform for diabetes: As noted by the Diabetes Policy Review, there is a lack
of access to information about existing diabetes initiatives, resulting in the duplication of work and lost opportunities for
To move forward, we recommend that federal, provincial and territorial governments use collaboration and learning. We echo the Expert Panel’s recommendation for a national platform for knowledge dissemination
and exchange to enable jurisdictions and healthcare providers to learn from each other to provide optimal care and support for
whatever suitable methods are available to them to work in collaboration78 with stakeholders people with diabetes.
and partners to do the following:
2. Enhance access to quality care and support:
1. Reduce the burden of diabetes: Governments must ensure that all people living with diabetes have comparable access to the supports they need
Governments must reassess and refocus their strategic approach to diabetes to achieve the greatest gains to effectively self-manage their disease in collaboration with their healthcare providers.
in addressing the burden of diabetes, including costly and potentially life-threatening complications from
the disease: Standardize the quality of diabetes education across Canada: All jurisdictions should recognize the DES/CDA’s Standards
for Diabetes Education as the model for diabetes education in Canada. However, most may not satisfy the requirements of
I mplement a comprehensive pan-Canadian healthy weights strategy: Maintaining a healthy weight is key to both preventing the programming that is available for both individuals and diabetes education centres in a consistent way. To ensure all
diabetes and diabetes-related complications. A pan-Canadian healthy weights strategy would increase the percentage of Canadians receive high-quality diabetes education, certification programs accessible to all healthcare professionals79 are needed.
Canadians maintaining a healthy weight and focus on five main goals: Further, diabetes education centres should meet and adhere to the DES/CDA’s Standards for Diabetes Education, undergo regular
evaluation and promote their best practices in care and programs across jurisdictions. In addition, access to diabetes education
• Identifying and understanding the underlying societal • I nitiating a public education campaign across all sectors as an important component of self-management should be assured for all people living with diabetes regardless of where they
causes of unhealthy weights. of society. live in Canada.
• Setting targets to increase the number of Canadians • I ncorporating a multisectoral approach involving Renew the vision for the Canadian drug approval process: The current drug review process results in too many Canadians not
achieving healthy weights, specifically within high-risk governments, non-governmental organizations, the having equitable access to the medications, devices and supplies required for effective self-management. Canada must do better.
populations. private sector and Canadians as a whole. A review of best practices internationally to identify a more effective and efficient drug review system that better serves the
• Improving access to programs and services for high-risk health needs of all Canadians is required. Jurisdictions should also explore a common drug formulary to standardize access.
populations.
Create a Canadian diabetes health charter: Canada must develop benchmarks to assess both the quality and accessibility
of diabetes care, programs and services, medications, education and other supports, including those that would help lessen
the stigma of having diabetes. These standards will enable us to assess the performance of all jurisdictions against these
benchmarks. A Canadian diabetes charter would provide such benchmarks to assess performance and, ultimately, to enhance
supports for people living with diabetes and diabetes outcomes.

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46 47
ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

3. Strategically invest in diabetes:

Governments must enhance and refocus its investments in addressing the burden of diabetes into programs
and services that provide the greatest support to those people living with the disease.

Enhance financial assistance for people with diabetes: Canadians with diabetes face a significant health and financial burden.
Healthcare costs for Canadians with diabetes not covered by either public or private insurance plans can be two to five times
higher than for people without diabetes. The average annual out-of-pocket cost for a person with diabetes is just under $2,300.
Governments must enhance existing financial supports, such as the Disability Tax Credit, for people with diabetes.

Enhance the Canadian Diabetes Strategy and Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative: Funding for both the CDS and the ADI is
insufficient and not keeping pace with the rising number of Canadians with diabetes. While funding for the CDS has remained
the same and the ADI increased somewhat over the past decade, rates of people with diabetes have doubled. Funding for each
initiative must keep pace with the needs of Canadians with diabetes, and funding for the ADI should be made permanent.

Increase investment in high-quality research: 84% of Canadians indicate such research makes an important contribution to the
economy. Furthermore, 90% think basic research should be supported by government even if it brings no immediate benefit, and
a majority of Canadians are willing to pay more to improve health and research capacity even in uncertain economic times. While
a majority of Canadians consider our country to be “middle-of-the-pack” among industrialized nations, 89% believe that Canada
should be a global leader in this area.80 These perceptions are not misplaced. Canada is not keeping pace with its peer countries
for investment in diabetes research, given funding reductions to our three granting councils in 2009 and limited reinvestments.81
Canada needs to increase its commitment to research to build on the accomplishments that previous investments in research have
achieved. To reach parity with its OECD peers, the federal government should endeavour to achieve a threshold of 3% of GDP for
investment in research by 2012. This increase would benefit research activity in many areas of importance to Canadians and
Canada’s productivity and competitiveness.

“I pay a $250 annual deductible and “I cannot get a comparable job or health
when I turn 65, that deductible will benefit plan back home [in Newfoundland
be waived. I had no idea that other and Labrador].” THE FACES OF DIABETES
jurisdictions in Canada do not provide
the same support for their residents
David Bennett, 38 SECTION V IN CANADA
Fort McMurray, Alberta
with diabetes. I am very fortunate.”
Brian Sweeney, 64 “I live day to day…my budget is always Personal stories of Canadians with diabetes who
 Whitehorse, Yukon speak candidly about the successes and the struggles
tight…I have about $50 a m  onth for
they face.
groceries so I need to stretch the budget,
and if need be, I get assistance from a
food bank.”
Michael Brierley, 55
Peterborough, Ontario

DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
48 49
The Faces of
DIABETES IN CANADA *, +
Diabetes Report 2005 featured the personal stories of Canadians with diabetes who spoke
candidly about the successes and the struggles they faced. Since 2005, to our knowledge,
three have passed away: Dave Speer from Rossport, ON; Chris Laird of Vancouver, BC; and
Pierre Boisclair of Montreal, QC. Here we feature new profiles of Canadians with diabetes,
as well as four people whose profiles have been updated since Diabetes Report 2005. Some
are successfully managing their disease, while others face difficulties with diabetes and its
complications. Here are their stories.±
Barb Marche and
Liam Marche, 13
(First profiled in Diabetes
Report 2005)
St. John’s, NL
“ Working with Liam to manage his type 1
diabetes is still very much a 24-hour/seven-
day-a-week job,” says Barb. Liam has experienced no
changes in his condition and has an active lifestyle.
Teenagers with diabetes typically feel and want more
independence. “The big difference now is that Liam
is no longer a child. He is a teenager with a different
physiology and routine, so we are learning about
diabetes and its management all over again.” Barb
relies on social networking and other parents for
information and support.
* The ideas in this section are the views of individuals profiled and do not necessarily represent those of the CDA or DQ.
+ Although representatives from NU and YK are not available for these stories, we continue to investigate case reports for these territories.
± All profiles conducted for this report are available at www.diabetes.ca/dpr/.
DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
50
Liam has used an insulin pump since 2003 for more
effective control of his blood glucose levels. A
provincial program will cover the cost of the pump
until he is 25, supporting his family to manage his
condition. “The pump is good for me. It makes it easier
to be active.”
Barb continues to advocate for children with diabetes
in school. “It’s more than just educating teachers.
Guidance needs to be offered to staff and parents
about roles for each, as well as a better understanding
of the needs of the children in school.” She hopes
governments will provide more education to teachers
and parents about managing diabetes and embrace
new technologies. “It took 25 years since insulin
pumps have been available before the province
covered them; hopefully it will be sooner for other
developments like continuous glucose monitoring
systems. Governments must be proactive in addressing
diabetes to help keep people healthy and avoid the
costs of life-threatening complications.”
Florence Flynn, 68
(First profiled in Diabetes
Janet Clothier, 58
Report 2005)
Bedford, NS
Cornwall, PEI
F lorence was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age
nine. She raised four children and has an active J anet was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1980
at age 28. Her family has a history of diabetes,
life. Now retired, she travels with her husband Wayne, including her aging parents, daughter and grandson
who has type 2 diabetes. all living with the disease.
“I have kept my blood glucose levels stable, and I would In the past 10 years, she has experienced a lot of difficulty
be even more diligent if I had to do it all over again. I in controlling her diabetes. She now requires medication
am at greater risk for complications and my biggest for high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
challenge is the neuropathy in my feet combined with
arthritis.” Florence often uses a scooter to get around.
She maintains daily testing, takes her medications,
Following back surgery, Janet is disabled and can no
longer work. Her income is limited to a $700 a month
watches her diet and tries to exercise regularly. “I disability pension, from which she needs to cover her
want to stay active and worry about my feet and being
testing strips, room, board and transportation costs.
able to walk and exercise.” As retirees, Florence and Fortunately, she has access to a private program to
Wayne pay about $4,000 annually for extended health cover drug costs of about $500 a month. “I have a
coverage, which covers 80% of their costs, so they also significant financial hardship . . . my personal freedom
have out-of-pocket costs. is limited, and managing my diabetes is difficult. There
have been too many times when I have cut back on my
daily testing because I cannot afford to buy testing
Since 2003, Florence has used an insulin pump to
strips. If I didn’t have to test less [due to costs], I’d
give her more effective control of her blood glucose.
be happier and better able to manage my condition.”
Her replacement pump, which she got two years ago,
tracks information that she downloads for her doctor. Janet hopes that she will have her own place in a
“The information provides my doctor with a better social housing development in her community soon.
report, and the technology relieves me of the stress of
keeping records.” Florence hopes that all provincial
governments will provide financial support to help
people to get a pump.
“I worry and don’t know how I will be
able to support my needs once I retire.”
Aurora Villanueva, 61
  Toronto, Ontario
DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
51
THE FACES OF DIABETES IN CANADA
Angela Acquin, 33
Fredericton, NB
A ngela grew up with diabetes in her family. Her
father and grandfather have type 1 diabetes, while
her mother has type 2 diabetes. “I was surprised and
angry when I found out that I had type 1 diabetes. I
knew it would be life changing and affect all aspects
of my life,” says Angela recalling her reaction to her
diagnosis in 2000. She notes her difficulties in dealing
with her disease: “I struggle with control and discipline
to manage my disease. I take my medications, but I
will miss testing or I will eat something I shouldn’t.
But I understand the risks of complications if I don’t
stay with my management program.”
Angela also understands diabetes professionally as
a diabetes educator for the St.Mary’s First Nation
near Fredericton. She explains to her community
the importance of being proactive in dealing with
diabetes. The starting point is education and learning
about how the disease affects a person’s body and
life. “You don’t always see or feel a physical reaction
to diabetes. It is important to learn about the full
impact of the disease and its complications like heart
or kidney disease. You can live a healthy, happy life
if you don’t let diabetes control you. That’s what I
hope to achieve for myself and the members of my
community.”
“For years I knew that smoking was hindering the management
of my diabetes and increasing the risks to my health.”
 Christina Dalkin, 43
DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
52
Sharon Rothwell, 37
Beaconsfield, QC
S haron is a mother of two young children who works
as an IT quality assurance analyst. She learned of
her type 1 diabetes almost 30 years ago. When she first
found out, Sharon felt that it “wasn’t fair” and that she
had been “singled out.” She went to CDA’s camp for
youth with diabetes and learned a lot about her disease.
The camp, together with her mother, a registered nurse,
instilled a sense of responsibility to manage the disease.
Sharon has had access to medications and supplies,
and limited out-of-pocket costs because of health
benefit plans through her parents and from her
employer. “Advances in technology have helped me
enormously to achieve better control of my diabetes.
I use an insulin pump and a blood glucose monitor.
Treatment advances and financial support have
given me security to live an active life and meet my
responsibilities as a mother and in my career.”
Sharon believes governments need to extend access
for insulin pumps for people of all ages with diabetes.
She paid for her own pump two years ago, and hopes
there will be financial support for her when she needs
to replace the pump in three years. “Greater access to
new devices and medications will strengthen personal
self-management and help reduce the risk of deadly
complications while reducing demands on our
healthcare system.”
London, Ontario
Edgar Dawson, 58
Scarborough, ON
E dgar, a husband and father of five, has type 2
diabetes. He recalls his shock when told of his
condition 19 years ago. “Up till then, diabetes wasn’t
part of our family vocabulary.”
Edgar works hard to manage his diabetes, including
trying to eat the right foods, exercise, test his blood
glucose, take his medications and visit his care team.
He is concerned about managing his disease while
dealing with family demands. “We’ve managed pretty
well. But, there have been financial challenges that
have meant making choices about testing less because
of the high cost of test strips so that there was enough
money for food.”
Edgar’s out-of-pocket costs for diabetes are covered by
the workplace health benefit plan of his spouse, Eva.
But once she retires, these costs may increase. Recently
Eva was also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. “I expect
to be paying more when we retire.”
As a vice-president of a local CDA chapter of Caribbean
immigrants, Edgar was given a 2010 regional volunteer
award. He believes provincial drug plans need to change
to improve access to new, more effective diabetes
medications. “Too often, people with diabetes are forced to
take less expensive or effective medications because new,
better medications have not been approved for coverage.
This is another obstacle to personal management of
diabetes and may put individuals at risk for possible
complications.”
DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
53
Carissa Nikkel, 26
(First profiled in Diabetes
Report 2005)
Winnipeg, MB
D iagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age seven, Carissa
has pursued her career, an active lifestyle and
volunteer work with the CDA. She maintains a careful
diet, exercise, daily insulin injections and testing.
“I have been doing extremely well over the past five
years despite having diabetes, celiac disease and
my pancreas removed. I have an ongoing challenge
to control my blood glucose levels and occasional
blurred vision. I also get infections and scar very
easily, but I refuse to let these things get in my way.”
Carissa has a term position teaching in Winnipeg.
“The diabetes has been challenging for my students
and me in the classroom. They know when I have
‘highs or lows’ and are patient and supportive. While
learning about diabetes, it shows them that they too
can overcome obstacles and succeed.” Her position ends
June 2011, and unless she continues to work, she will
lose her private health benefits, which include coverage
for medications and supplies. Carissa would like to see
if an insulin pump would benefit her. However, it costs
about $7,000, and Manitoba does not offer financial
assistance. “The cost of managing diabetes is a big
challenge for many, and we are nowhere near effectively
supporting people with diabetes. Greater access to new
treatments will improve personal management and
help to reduce the possibility of complications that
harm people and cost our healthcare system.”
THE FACES OF DIABETES IN CANADA

Jerry Loomis, 68
(First profiled in Diabetes
Robert Cote, 45 Vaidy Bala, 70 Richard Luan, 45 Report 2005)
Cowessess, SK Edmonton, AB Vancouver, BC Norman Wells, NT

T hree years ago, when Robert was diagnosed with

type 2 diabetes, he was angry. That changed as
he committed to addressing his diabetes. “I changed
my diet, exercised and lost 50 pounds. Along with
medications, these were important to controlling
my diabetes.” But Robert’s lifestyle changes were
not enough. This summer he faced diabetes-related
complications and other health issues. He now depends
on insulin and has had major surgery to remove his
spleen and a portion of both his pancreas and intestine.
Despite this, Robert is determined to be healthy. A
member of the Cote First Nation, he is anxious to
teach again at the high school on the Ochapowace
Reserve. He worries about the growing incidence of
diabetes among Aboriginal peoples and wants to make
students more aware of diabetes and how to deal with
it. “With so many in our communities suffering from
diabetes, we desperately need to do more to educate
about diabetes. We also need to focus on improving
eating habits, replacing junk foods with better access
to affordable and nutritious foods and educating those
with diabetes to strengthen self-management.”
V aidy is a retired public servant who has had
type 2 diabetes since 2000. “I follow a vegan diet
by upbringing in India and strict exercise, including
yoga and tai chi. Together with taking my medications
and regular testing, I have been fortunate to be able to
maintain my blood glucose levels and blood pressure
in the normal range. I am lucky that I have never
had to make choices like testing less or not buying
nutritious foods in order to make sure I had money
for medications.” He pays regular visits to members of
his healthcare team.
Vaidy knows people with diabetes who have had to
make those choices and put their health at risk. “There
are still too many people with diabetes who cannot
afford nutritious foods, or enough testing strips every
month. Governments across Canada need to do more so
these individuals have access to affordable, nutritious
foods, medications, supplies and education services so
they can effectively manage their diabetes.” Vaidy has
been a CDA volunteer since 2003.
R ichard learned of his type 2 diabetes in 1995 while
living in China. “At first, I didn’t pay attention and
thought it wasn’t serious. That changed quickly, and
I was determined to get control through a proper diet
and lots of exercise.” Richard followed through with
his planned management and frequent daily testing
of his blood glucose. This commitment paid off, and
he has not needed to take any medications. However,
his blood glucose levels lately have been more difficult
to control, and he also has high cholesterol. These
changes may in part result from not being able to
sustain his diet and exercise due to shift work.
Richard has worked with his diabetes team to determine
if he should take medications. In addition, he is trying
to increase his exercise. “I’d like to continue without
medications, but if I need them, I will take them.
Diabetes is a life-long disease, and I know I will need to
change how I manage it so that I am doing everything
to prevent possible complications.”
J erry recalls the anger he felt when he learned of his
type 2 diabetes in 2000. Nonetheless, he took
seriously his doctor’s warning that he could suffer
a heart attack or stroke, and took control of his
situation. “I went on a diet, exercised and lost 116
pounds in 16 months. I’m careful to eat properly,
keep my weight in check and stick to my management
program.” Jerry’s condition is well managed, and he
still does not require daily medications.
Jerry advocates improving the availability and
affordability of nutritious food in the north and
worries about the federal government’s decision to
end its food mail program that subsidized the cost
of mailing food to northern communities. Instead,
the subsidy will be given directly to food retailers.
“This will work against consumers and especially
people with diabetes, as we do not expect retailers to
include the full subsidy in pricing. Food will be more
expensive, and people with diabetes who can’t afford
healthy foods will be at risk.”
Jerry and his wife Monica are considering moving to
Edmonton, where he will have better access to medical
professionals. He remains active as a diabetes advocate
in the north.

“The pump will help to strengthen my personal “I watch my health very closely now. I work at being
management and at the same time help me to fit and watch what I eat. I’ve lost about 70 lbs since I
sustain my diligent lifestyle.” was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2007.”
 Aryssah Stankevitsch, 20  Diane Angma, 50
Kingston, Ontario Arviat, Nunavut

DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
54 55
 Notes
43
Ibid., p.4.
1
CDA. An Economic Tsunami: The Cost of Diabetes in Canada, 2009. Available at: http://www.diabetes.ca/economicreport/.
44
Differences in estimated prevalence rates between the DCM and OECD may be attributable to differences in methodology used to calculate these estimates.
2
An Economic Tsunami, p. 10.
45
Measured in inflation-adjusted 2009 dollars.
3
According to the PHAC, “prevalence may be underestimated by 30% as a result of subclinical, undiagnosed diabetes” ... [it] has been estimated that as many as one
46 
This is a decline of $0.5 billion from the 2009 DCM estimate of $12.2 billion. Direct costs are higher in the 2010 report than the 2009 report due to the change in prices
third of all cases of diabetes are undiagnosed in Canada.” Diabetes Data, NDSS 1997–1998 to 1999–2000 Canadian, provincial and territorial data tables (XLS) and from 2000 and because there are more prevalent cases (see 2010 and 2020). Indirect costs are higher in 2000 because of the change in prices but lower in 2010 and
research files (CSV). Accordingly, it “has been estimated that as many as one third of all cases of diabetes are undiagnosed in Canada.” Diabetes in Canada: Highlights, 2020 because of the reduction in diabetes mortality, (see note 14) which reduces indirect mortality costs. While the reduction in overall estimated costs may seem
2003. positive, it is not due to higher direct health system costs.
4
An Economic Tsunami, p. 7.
47
See note 14.
5
CDA and Diabète Québec, Diabetes Report 2005: The Serious Face of Diabetes in Canada, 2005, p. 5.
48
Diabetes in Canada, chapter 6.
6
Available at: www.diabetes.ca/get-involved/helping-you/advocacy.
49
Assembly of First Nations. First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey, 2002-2003, 2003, p. 71.
7
The survey was developed and revised by Dr. Johnson after consultation with the CDA. All jurisdictions responded and were consulted in advance regarding its intent
50
“Report Highlights,” Diabetes in Canada.
and content. To compare to Diabetes Report 2005, much of the survey indicators were based on this previous survey; revisions focused on policy, programs and
51
P. Jacobs et al, “Excess Costs of Diabetes in the Aboriginal Population of Manitoba, Canada,” Canadian Journal of Public Health, 91 (2000), pp. 298–301.
resources. Governments also reviewed these findings to ensure accuracy.
52 
Sheri L. Pohar and Jeffrey A. Johnson, “Health Care Utilization and Costs in Saskatchewan’s Registered Indian Population with Diabetes,” BMC Health Services Research,
8
 The Economic Burden of Illness in Canada (PHAC) was first issued in 1986 and provided estimates of the main direct and indirect costs of illness in Canada. It was 7 (2007), p. 126.
updated in 1993 and 1998; all versions are available through the PHAC.
53
CDA 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada, p. S29.
9
Statistics Canada. “Canadian Health Measures Survey, 2007 to 2009,“ The Daily, January 13, 2010. According to this survey, approximately 38% of Canadian adults were
54
CDA, University of Western Ontario. Diabetes in Canada Evaluation (DICE) Study Backgrounder [no date], p. 3.
at a healthy weight. About 1% were underweight, 37% were overweight and 24% were obese.
55
Janet may have been eligible for this coverage in 2006, but it was not flagged by Alberta Health & Wellness at that time.
10
Based on data requests through Statistics Canada, CANSIM, Table 105-0501: Health indicator profile, annual estimates, by age group and sex, Canada, provinces,
56 
An international comparison of healthcare costs for diabetes is difficult due to limited availability of data, as well as differences in how costs are estimated. The IDF has
territories, health regions (2007 boundaries) and peer groups, occasional. attempted to compare internationally the per capita cost of diabetes for international comparisons (Diabetes Atlas, 4th edition, 2009). Many different approaches have
11
Personal communication with Margot Shields, Statistics Canada, November 18, 2010. been used to estimate the current and future costs of diabetes in Canada, but to facilitate this international comparison, we refer to the IDF estimates, as they have
12
For example, according to a January 2011 poll by Leger Marketing, 43% of Canadians believe they are at a healthy weight, while 44% believe they are overweight, and applied a standard approach.
only 7% believe they are obese. Available at: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/12/31/canada-weighs-in-poll-health-myths.html.
57 
Avoidable diabetes complications and lower-extremity amputation hospital admissions are defined as hospital admissions of people 15 years and over per 100,000
13
Ibid. population in that age group per year. Rates are adjusted for differences in the age and sex of each country’s population. Lower-extremity amputations include
14
In 2010, the DCM indicated that prevalence will be considerably higher by 2020 than anticipated in 2009. Much of the reason for this increase is an improvement amputation of the foot and toes, in addition to major amputations (e.g. above the ankle, through the knee and up to hip amputations). Amputation rates are not
in modelling of all-cause deaths of persons with diabetes. Estimated deaths are lower in this report relative to estimates in An Economic Tsunami, which leads to an strongly correlated with diabetes prevalence, and minor amputations (toe and foot) do not necessarily indicate poor quality of care, as they may be carried out to
increase in the number of prevalent cases in the population. The change in approach to modelling deaths arises from the observation that death rates by age/sex prevent major amputations. Since some minor amputations can be performed in primary care settings, clinical practices between countries might also affect indicator
have been declining over the last few years, coincident with lower death rates in the general population. The current forecast assumes that the relative mortality rate rates. Since definition rely on procedure codes, different classification systems across countries may impact on comparability of data.
remains fixed over the forecast period, whereas An Economic Tsunami assumed that the diabetes death rate remained fixed while the overall population death rate fell,
58
See note 57.
leading to an increase in the relative mortality rate over the forecast period.
59 
Mortality is an important measure of population health. Estimating mortality due to diabetes for international comparisons is challenging because more than a third of
15
CDA’s previous estimate of six million people with prediabetes (2008) was based on US assumptions. As noted in the Introduction, our methodology to estimate countries have no reliable data on mortality and available routine health data often underestimate mortality from diabetes. This is largely because people with diabetes
prediabetes prevalence has changed to include estimates from the World Health Organization. most frequently die of CVD or renal failure or other conditions. Cause-specific mortality statistics are based on the underlying cause of death recorded on the death
16
Prediabetes and diagnosed diabetes rates added together total less than the sum of each of their respective prevalence rates, since total prevalence rates for both are certificate. In cases of CVD, diabetes is frequently not mentioned at all, or if it is, it is not specified as the underlying cause of death. Therefore, we often rely on models
derived from diagnosed and prediabetes prevalence divided by the population. However, the diagnosed diabetes prevalence rate is derived from diagnosed prevalence to estimate the mortality due to diabetes, as was done by the IDF for their Diabetes Atlas, 4th edition.
divided by population, and the prediabetes prevalence rate is derived from prediabetes prevalence divided by the population minus diagnosed prediabetes prevalence.
60 
Canada has 148.9 deaths per 100,000 population from CVD compared to Finland at 219.8 per 100,000 population. Like the rest of the developed world, overall
17
All provinces and territories are referred to by their respective abbreviations: BC (British Columbia), AB (Alberta), SK (Saskatchewan), MB (Manitoba), ON (Ontario), mortality and CVD-related mortality has declined in Canada. However, people with diabetes face higher risk of comorbidities such as CVD and CVD-related mortality,
QC (Quebec), NB (New Brunswick), NS (Nova Scotia), PEI (Prince Edward Island), NL (Newfoundland and Labrador), YK (Yukon), NT (Northwest Territories) and NU so a focus on improved prevention and treatment of cardiovascular risk for people with diabetes must be maintained. Japan has a low mortality rate due to CVD,
(Nunavut). similar to their rate for mortality due to diabetes.
18
Factors such as family history, diet and physical activity also influence prevalence, but it is beyond the scope of this report to discuss these factors in detail.
61 
In 2009, of adults living with diabetes, only 32% received all four of the recommended care components (A1C test, urine tested for protein, dilated eye exam, foot
19
Statistics Canada. Health Fact Sheet: Diabetes, 2009, 2009. exam). Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), Diabetes Care Gaps and Disparities in Canada, 2009, pp. 1–2.
20
The risk for diabetes for people of South Asian descent was at least triple that of immigrants from Western Europe and North America; the risk among immigrants
62 
The Report of the Expert Panel for the Diabetes Policy Review is available in its entirety on the website of the PHAC at: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/2009/dprrep-
from Latin America, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa was almost double. Maria Isabella Creatore et al, “Age- and Sex-Related Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus epdrge/index-eng.php.
among Immigrants to Ontario, Canada,” CMAJ 182 (2010): pp. 781–789.
63 
Best practices are examples of policies and programs that optimize diabetes care, education and support to people with diabetes. The CDA reviewed and confirmed
21
CDA. “Canadian Diabetes Association 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada,” Canadian Journal of Diabetes examples of best practices across jurisdictions suggested by ACHORD.
32(2008): p. S191.
64 
DES refers to CDA’s Diabetes Education Section, a multidisciplinary professional section of the Canadian Diabetes Association committed to excellence in diabetes
22
Ibid., p. S191. education. The Diabetes Education Standards are a collaborative venture of the DES and CDA.
23
Statistics Canada. “Census: Immigration, Citizenship, Language, Mobility and Migration,” The Daily, December 4, 2007: p. 2.
65
First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey, 2002–2003, p. 72.
24
CDA 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada, p. S191
66
CIHI, Diabetes Care Gaps and Disparities in Canada, 2009, pp. 1–2.
25
For example, University of Calgary researchers have found that low socioeconomic status is associated with higher rates of diabetes and a higher population rate of
67
Ibid.
referral to regional diabetes education centres. Doreen M Rabi et al, “Association of Socio-economic Status with Diabetes Prevalence and Utilization of Diabetes Care
68
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2004, 2004.
Services,” BMC Health Services Research 6 (2006): p. 124.
69 
The House of Commons Standing Committee on Health has called childhood obesity in Canada an “epidemic,” with over a quarter of young Canadians overweight or
26
Ibid. obese, and even higher rates among First Nations children. Healthy Weights for Healthy Kids, 2007, p.1.
27
“Even allowing for the effects of overweight, obesity and ethno-cultural origin, lower-income women were significantly more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than
70 
Annual Conference of Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers of Health, St. John’s, NL. “Federal, Provincial and Territorial Health and Healthy Living/Wellness Ministers
were their counterparts in high-income households. . . . By contrast, among men, any relationship between household income and the onset of diabetes disappeared Agree on Ways to Strengthen the Health of Canadians,” press release, September 14, 2010.
when other factors were taken into account.” Statistics Canada. “Study: The Role of Socio-economic Status in the Incidence of Diabetes.” The Daily, August 18, 2010.
71 
For diabetes medications, Canada’s positive reimbursement percentage is 42%, compared to 88% internationally. Rx&D. International Report on Access to Medicines,
28
Institute for Clinical Evaluative Science. How Many Canadians Will Be Diagnosed with Diabetes Between 2007 and 2017? 2010, p. 27. 2009, pp. 21, 37.
29
CDA 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada, p. S11.
72
An Economic Tsunami, p. 7.
30
The term “Aboriginal” in this report refers to First Nations, Métis and Inuit located in urban, rural and remote locations across Canada both on and off reserves.
73 
Diabetes has many complications, including microalbuminuria (protein in the urine), which is linked to kidney failure; foot ulcers, which often precede amputation;
31
Ibid., p. S187. gastroparesis (partial paralysis of the stomach); erectile dysfunction; and other conditions. Optimal glycemic control is essential to avoiding complications. See CDA.
32
Indeed, rates of diabetes among some First Nations communities were found to be as high as 26% based on data from the late 1990s, so rates for 2010 would be Canadian Journal of Diabetes. CDA 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada, September 2008. S29.
significantly higher. Harris SB, et al, “The Prevalence of NIDDM and Associated Risk Factors in Native Canadians.” Diabetes Care 20 (1997): pp. 185–187.
74
An Economic Tsunami, pp. 15-17.
33
CDA 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada, p. S187.
75
CDA 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada, p. S77.
34
Ibid., p. S187.
76
Rebecca M. Puhl and Chelsea A. Heuer. The Stigma of Obesity: A Review and Update. Obesity 17 5 (2009): 941–964.
35
The prevalence of obesity in adults was 22.9% among the general population for 2004, far lower than for First Nations adults, at 37.8%. Peter T. Katzmarzyk, “Obesity
77
Richard R. Rubin et al. Recognizing and Treating Depression in Patients with Diabetes. Current Diabetes Reports 4 (2004): pp 119-125.
and Physical Activity among Aboriginal Canadians,” Obesity 16 (2008): pp. 184–190.
78
In any collaboration between governments, it is important to respect provincial/territorial responsibility for healthcare delivery.
36
Roland Dyck et al, “Epidemiology of Diabetes Mellitus among First Nations and Non-First Nations Adults,” CMAJ, 182 (2010): pp. 249–256.
79
These include physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners, certified diabetes educators, dietitians, nutritionists, public health officials, and others.
37
The prevalence of GDM is higher than previously thought, varying from 3.7% in non-First Nations populations to 8–18% in First Nations populations. CDA 2008
80
The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada, BIOTechCanada, Rx&D, Canadian Healthcare Association, MEDEC, Research Canada: An Alliance for Health
Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada, p. S171. Discovery. Canada Speaks! 2010: Canadians Go for Gold in Health and Medical Research - A National Public Opinion Poll in Health and Medical Research, January
38
Ibid., p. S187. 2010, p. 5.
39
PHAC, “Diabetes in Aboriginal Communities,” Diabetes in Canada, 2003, chapter 6.
81
Budget 2009 reduced funding to Canada’s three granting agencies by $147.9 million over three years. Budget 2010 increased core funding for these councils by only
40
Assembly of First Nations, A First Nations Diabetes Report Card, 2006, p. 3. $32 million, which does not restore cuts from the previous year.
41
IDF. A Call to Action: The Time to Act for Diabetes is Now, 2010, p. 2.
42
Ibid., p. 5.

DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT – CHARTING A NEW PATH
56 57
The Faces of
DIABETES IN CANADA

  

Deborah Keating, 27
St. John’s, Sheila J., 45
Newfoundland  hristina Dalkin, 43
C Carissa Nikkel, 26 Langley, British
and Labrador London, Ontario Winnipeg, Manitoba Columbia The CDA and DQ wish to thank the following corporate sponsors for their generous
unrestricted educational grants to support the development of this report.
Courtney Riddoch

Barb Marche and and Bree Riddoch
Liam Marche, 13 Photo (Type 1 diabetes), Richard Luan, 45
St. John’s, Unavailable Aurora Villanueva, 61 13, Prince Albert, Vancouver, British
Newfoundland Toronto, Ontario Saskatchewan Columbia


Anthony M., 24
Tyne Valley,  obert Cote, 45
R Jennifer Palsson, 28
Prince Edward Mike Felske, 33 Cowessess, Castlegar,
Island Eganville, Ontario Saskatchewan British Columbia 


C. Warren Williams,
Florence Flynn, 68 67
Cornwall, Prince  evin Kasunich, 33
K Vaidy Bala, 70 Williams Lake,
Edward Island Capreol, Ontario Edmonton, Alberta British Columbia

Janet Clothier, 58 E dgar Dawson, 58 David Bennett, 38

Bedford, Scarborough, Fort McMurray, Brian Sweeney, 64
Nova Scotia Ontario Alberta Whitehorse, Yukon


Melissa McKinney,
Angela Acquin, 33
Fredericton, Doug Macnamara, 52 24
T ammy Kilfoy, 33
New Brunswick London, Ontario Banff, Alberta Whitehorse, Yukon



Sharon Rothwell, 37 Aryssah T heresa Strawberry, 53 Jerry Loomis, 68
Beaconsfield, Stankevitsch, 20 Rocky Mountain Norman Wells,
Quecec Kingston, Ontario House, Alberta Northwest Territories




 ichael Brierley, 55
M  andy Wepruk, 50
R  . Bruce Bennett, 77
R Photo
Peterborough, Thunder Bay, Mackenzie, Unavailable Diane Angma, 50 Photography credits
Ontario Ontario   British Columbia Arvait,Nunavut
 Angela Acquin David Smith/KlixPix Sheila J Dina Goldstein/KlixPix Jennifer Palsson Greg Mayrhofer /
Vaidy Bala Franson/KlixPix Kevin Kasunich Mike Dupont Vogue Photographic
R. Bruce Bennett Danita McLaren/KlixPix Deborah Keating Ned Pratt/KlixPix Courtney and Bree Riddoch Hannah Zitner/KlixPix
David Bennett Jason Franson/KlixPix Tammy Kilfoy Strangemore Photo Sharon Rothwell Benoit Aquin/KlixPix
Michael Brierley Wayne Eardley/KlixPix Jerry Loomis Dave Brosha Aryssah Stankevitsch Strangemore Photo
Janet Clothier Precision Photo Richard Luan Dina Goldstein/KlixPix Theresa Strawberry Jason Franson/KlixPix
Christina Dalkin Strangemore Photo Doug Macnamara Jason Molyneaux/KlixPix C. Warren Williams About Face Photography
Edgar Dawson Strangemore Photo Liam Marche Ned Pratt/KlixPix Randy Wepruk Sandi Krasowski/KlixPiz
Mike Felske Ron Harshman/KlixPix Anthony M Ella Hutt/KlixPix
Florence Flynn Ella Hutt/KlixPix Carissa Nikkel Tobias Beharrell

DIABETES: CANADA AT THE TIPPING POINT ­– CHARTING A NEW PATH

58